Mushroom Alfredo Pasta
"We didn't like cream at all."
I was always in a bias that food made out of cream was too oily.
It's true that cream is highly fat while most creamy foods add more fat into the food for that extra rich-ness. For example, we would use chicken thighs cooked in olive oil as we add cream and butter for our sauce.
I always believed in creamy food as high calories, high fat, and rich flavor profile. As I grew older, I started to avoid these types of food. I started to work out and care about my nutritional health more often.
However, this dish was my cheat day meal. Whenever I had to recover from a high intensity workout, I will find this recipe.
Also, this dish was favored by my partner who had a picky profile for foods. She never grabbed her utensils if she does not like something. Surprisingly, cream was one of them, until I cooked her this dish.
The first impression of this dish is heavy and high in calories, but the mushroom lightens that heavy profile with white wine that distinguishes rich profile with less fat and calories.
If you are looking for a cream dish that feels lighter, try this recipe with a nice white such as Moscato or Sauvignon Blanc.
Ingredients
- 1 Serving of Spaghetti Pasta
- 3/4 Cup of Heavy Cream
- 1/4 Cup of Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbsp of Unsalted Butter
- 1/4 Cup of White Wine (Any)
- 2 Heads of Sliced Cremini Mushrooms
- 3 Heads of Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms
- 1 Head of Julliened Small Oyster Mushroom
- 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- Preferred amount of Black Pepper
Step 1
Boil the water for the pasta as you prepare the ingredients. Salt the water when it starts to boil. Add the pasta and boil to Al Dante (about 10 minutes).
Step 2
Brown 1/2 Tbsp butter in pan in medium heat, sauté Cremini and Shiitake Mushrooms in the pan for 3 minutes.
Step 3
Turn to high heat, after 30 seconds, add the white wine. Heat for 1 minute.
Step 4
Turn to low heat, add the cream and parmesan cheese. Slowly stir the sauce.
Step 5
Bring the heat to medium, add 1/3 cup of the pasta water into the sauce. Mix the pasta into the sauce for about 30 seconds. Add pepper as much as you want.
Step 6
Turn the heat off, plate the pasta.
Step 7
On the side pan, add the other 1/2 Tbsp of butter to pan and brown. Then, sauté the Oyster mushroom until its tender. Salt and pepper. Plate it on top of the pasta.