Creamy Farfalle Pasta with mushrooms and peas

This pasta dish resonates with the coming of spring and a delightful creamy sauce.  It may seem like a lot of ingredients, but this is an amazingly easy dish to prepare and the results are delicious!

Serves: 8-10
Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package of Farfalle pasta (bows), cooked per the package directions
  • 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
  • ˝ cup dried porcini mushrooms (substitute 4 oz fresh oyster or enoki mushroom)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ˝ cup chopped onion
  • ˝ cup chopped shallots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or fresh chives, divided
  • Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 4 oz white button or cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 1 cup frozen peas, brought to room temperature
  • ˝ cup chicken stock
  • 2/3 cup whipping cream
  • grated parmesan (1/4 cup plus more for serving)
  • Black truffle infused olive oil (highly recommended, but optional)
 

Directions

Cook pasta according to package instructions, making sure pasta is a firm, al dente. Drain and set aside.  Soak dried mushrooms in 1-1/2  cups hot water for approximately 5 minutes or until they are soft.  Drain mushrooms and save ˝ cup of the liquid.

Melt butter in a large pan or skillet heated on medium low. Add onion, shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon of parsley or chives and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until onions are slightly translucent.  Add mushrooms, peas, the half cup of water you saved and cook until mushrooms are cooked through.  Add chicken stock and stir until heated through.

Take skillet off the burner and add the cooked pasta, whipping cream and grated Parmesan, tossing to coat the pasta.  Add additional salt or fresh ground pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with remaining parsley or chives and drizzle with a few scant drops of truffle oil if using (use sparingly - a little goes a long way!).  Serve immediately and pass around a small dish of grated Parmesan for extra sprinkling!
Recipe created by Personal Chef Michi Harris