Fettuccine with Mushroom Marsala

Recipe by The View From the Great Island

Just because Valentine’s Day has come and gone doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about sensual foods.  Like this Fettuccine with creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce.  This is not only elegant, but like the Pistachio Crusted Flounder, it’s another really quick meal. I’m on a quick meal roll this week. I made this pasta for our dinner last night; we were expecting to have a quiet evening at home when, around 5 pm, we got the call from our favorite restaurant—we got off the waiting list!  (Just as I was starting to get some good mileage out of teasing my husband about it.) And we got the best table, too!  It was comfy and secluded.  I’m a huge table snob.   To me there’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money to go out to dinner and being seated at a postage sized table wedged in between a loud-talker (Seinfeld was right on about that one) and one of those types who likes to stare at what you’re eating while they wait, endlessly, for their appetizers.  Not romantic at all. This dish is almost as good as going out.  I go back to this basic sauce again and again because it’s …

Ingredients

• ⅓ lb fettuccine
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 large shallot (minced)
• 1 large clove of garlic (minced)
• 8 oz assorted mushrooms (sliced)
• ⅓ cup Marsala wine
• ⅓ cup chicken stock
• juice of lemon
• ½ tsp of Wondra flour*
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• several sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves stripped from the stalks
• salt and fresh cracked pepper
• parsley
• freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Method

1. In a heavy pot melt and butter and olive oil and saute the shallot and garlic for a few minutes.
2. Add in the mushrooms and saute, stirring often, for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the mushrooms just tender. If the pot seems too dry, add a little more olive oil.
3. Add the Marsala into the hot pot and let it evaporate for a minute, then add the chicken stock, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
4. Let the sauce simmer and reduce for a few minutes. Sprinkle in a dash of Wondra flour and blend in.
5. Add in the cream, and bring back to a simmer. Check for seasoning and set aside while you cook the fettuccine.
6. When the fettuccine is just al dente, either add it to the sauce and toss well, or put it in a serving bowl and top with the sauce. Garnish with cheese and parsley.

View the recipe instructions at The View From the Great Island