Pasta: The ultimate comfort food

September 22, 2018

As the wind and snow rage outdoors, take comfort in a hearty bowl of pasta. As an added bonus, this dish with help boost your immunity thanks to the healthy dose of vitamin D found in crimini mushrooms. Enjoy the carb loading!

Photo: Anson Smart

Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

6 cups sliced crimini or white button mushrooms

2 cups vegetable broth

12 ounces firm silken tofu or firm regular tofu

3 tablespoons wheat-free tamari or soy sauce

1 teaspoon chopped thyme (not dried)

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Natural salt

12 ounces gluten-free or regular fettuccini or spaghetti

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus more to garnish

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Directions

ONE: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and saute the onion for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Throw in the garlic and mushrooms and saute for about 15 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.

TWO: Put 1 cup (240ml) of the vegetable broth and the tofu into your blender and puree on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. Add about 1 cup (180g) of the mushroom mixture. Pulse a few times to break them up. You want a speckled, grainy consistency, not a puree.

THREE: Pour the blended tofu-mushroom mixture into the saucepan and stir in the tamari, thyme, and pepper. Bring the mixture just to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Increase the heat to high and add 1/2 cup (120ml) of the remaining broth. Bring the sauce just to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-high, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until reduced by half. Increase the heat to high again and add the remaining broth. Bring the sauce just to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes more, until creamy. Cover and keep warm.

FOUR: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the mushroom sauce. Add the parsley and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve family-style in a big bowl garnished with the chives and parsley.