Handmade Fresh Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom & Balsamic Cream Sauce

Pappardelle Pasta

2 cups all purpose flour
3 large eggs
a pinch of salt

Using a food processor, combine the flour and salt.  Add the eggs and process in pulses until the flour is completely moistened.  Remove the dough and knead for about five minutes, adding only a small amount of flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Place the dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap and allow to relax for an hour.  Roll out with a pasta machine to setting 7, or use a rolling pin to roll it as thinly as possible.  Cut the pasta sheets in to long pappardelle noodles and hang on a rack or dust lightly with flour until ready to use.

Makes about one pound of fresh pasta

Wild Mushroom & Balsamic Cream Sauce
1 cup dried mushrooms such as shitake, porcini, and morel
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons Ultra Premium, Olio Nuovo Coratina
1/3 cup dry Marsala wine
1/2 cup reserved mushroom stock (soaking liquid)
2 tablespoons Traditional Style Balsamic Condimento
1 large shallot, sliced thin
1 medium red onion, sliced thin
1 – 2″ sprig of fresh thyme, leaves only
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Place mushrooms in a small bowl and pour one cup of boiling water over the mushrooms and set aside. Place a large saute pan, over medium heat.  Add the Coratina, onion and shallot and a small sprinkle of kosher salt.  Saute slowly until the onions are caramelized, being careful not to burn them.  This should take approximately 5 minutes until they are golden brown.

Drain the mushrooms well reserving the soaking liquid.  Chop lightly if the pieces are large.  Add the mushrooms and thyme leaves to the saute pan.  Saute for another minute and then add the Marsala wine, scraping up any browned bits.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.

Reduce the wine by half, and add the mushroom stock. Continue cooking over medium heat until liquid is again reduced by half.  Add in the balsamic, and then the heavy cream stirring well to combine.  Allow to simmer for an additional minute or two, to allow the sauce to thicken.  Season well with kosher salt and a generous amount of fresh ground pepper.

Boil the fresh pappardelle in the boiling water for a minute.

Add the cooked, drained pappardelle to the saute pan.  Toss it with the sauce and allow it to simmer in the sauce for an additional minute.

Serve with grated fresh Pecorino Romano cheese.

Serves 4-6