Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms
Category: First Courses
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 320g |
| Cherry tomatoes | 350g |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Fresh basil | To taste |
| Fine salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Fresh chili pepper | 1 |
| Champignon mushrooms | 300g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 30g |
| White wine | 50g |
| Fresh parsley | To taste |
Instructions:
To prepare this delightful dish of Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms, begin by cleaning the mushrooms. Gently remove the earthy part of the stems with a small knife, ensuring you discard any dirt or impurities. Alternatively, if the mushrooms are relatively clean, you can use a soft brush or a damp cotton cloth to wipe the surface, ensuring no dirt remains. Once cleaned, trim the bottom of each mushroom stem to remove any remaining tough parts.
Now, heat a non-stick pan and drizzle in a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. Add a clove of garlic and let it sauté until golden brown, infusing the oil with its aromatic flavors. Once the garlic has reached the perfect golden hue, remove it from the pan, as its flavor has already been imparted to the oil.
Next, add the chopped champignon mushrooms to the pan. Season them with salt, giving them a good stir to ensure they cook evenly. Let them sauté for a few minutes, releasing their juices and transforming into a soft, flavorful base for the pasta. Once they’re tender and slightly caramelized, set them aside.
Meanwhile, cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters. When the olive oil has absorbed the flavors of the garlic, add the tomatoes to the pan, allowing them to soften and release their juices. At this stage, you can also add fresh chili pepper to the pan. Remove the seeds from the chili, slice it into thin strips, and toss it in with the tomatoes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balance of flavors.
Tear the basil leaves into rough pieces, making sure to keep the oils intact, and add them to the pan. The fresh basil will bring a fragrant, herbaceous note to the dish, complementing the sweetness of the tomatoes and the earthiness of the mushrooms.
While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti in salted water according to the package instructions until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Once the pasta is cooked, do not drain it completely. Instead, reserve a bit of pasta water and transfer the spaghetti directly into the pan with the tomatoes and mushrooms, allowing the sauce to coat the pasta beautifully. If the sauce needs to loosen up, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Toss the pasta and sauce together, making sure each strand of spaghetti is perfectly coated with the rich and flavorful tomato and mushroom sauce. Add a final seasoning of black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Plate your Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms with a flourish, ensuring that the vibrant red of the tomatoes, the earthy brown of the mushrooms, and the fresh green basil and parsley are beautifully visible. Serve hot and enjoy this simple yet deeply satisfying dish that combines the sweetness of tomatoes, the earthiness of mushrooms, and the warmth of fresh chili and garlic.
This dish is a wonderful representation of the classic Italian flavors, making it a perfect choice for a light yet fulfilling meal. The combination of spaghetti with the delicate cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and sautéed mushrooms is both nourishing and full of flavor, while the addition of chili provides a subtle kick. It’s an easy-to-make yet impressive meal for any occasion. Enjoy this culinary delight, and make it a favorite in your weekly meal rotation.
