Pappardelle with Porcini and Pistachios

• Recipe by Shea Gallante

The Food Pappardelle with porcini mushrooms is Shea Gallante’s favorite pasta: “It’s great in its simplicity,” he says. What makes this version extraordinary are the roasted pistachios, which add a sweet nuttiness.

The Wine Earthy ingredients like mushrooms and nuts pair well with similarly earthy wines, for instance reds like the 2006 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera or older whites like the 1988 Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco.

Ingredients

1. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 1 large red onion, cut into 3/4-inch dice
3. 1 pound fresh porcini or cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1 shallot, minced
6. 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
7. 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
8. 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
9. 1/2 cup unsalted roasted pistachios
10. 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
11. 1 small chile, such as red Thai chile, seeded and minced
12. 1 pound pappardelle, preferably fresh
13. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
14. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

Directions

1. In a large, deep skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onion to a bowl; leave as much of the butter in the pan as possible.
2. Add the mushrooms to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is evaporated and the mushrooms are golden, about 8 minutes. Stir in the shallot and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Return the onion to the skillet. Add the chicken stock and parsley and simmer over moderately high heat until the liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter along with the pistachios, lemon juice and chile and stir until the butter is melted. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pappardelle in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
4. Add the pappardelle to the skillet along with the reserved cooking water and the olive oil. Cook over moderately high heat, tossing, until the pasta is coated with a thick sauce, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pasta to bowls and serve, passing the cheese at the table.

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight; let the mushroom sauce return to room temperature before proceeding.