Drunken Tuscan Pasta

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 45 Minutes

Servings: 4

Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

1 (750 ml) bottle tuscan red table wine (rosso di montalcino or chianti)

coarse salt

1 lb bucatini pasta or 1 lb spaghetti or 1 lb perciatelli

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 lb deli-sliced pancetta

3 portabella mushroom caps, thinly sliced

2 -3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, chopped

red pepper flakes (a couple of pinches)

4 -5 cups chopped chard leaves or 4 -5 cups escarole or 4 -5 cups spinach or 4 -5 cups kale

black pepper

1/4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg

grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Directions:

1. Pour the entire bottle of wine into a large pan; add water and fill the pot up as you would to cook pasta.
2. Bring the wine and water to a boil over high heat.
3. When the liquids boil, add salt and the pasta; cook to al dente. (you will use some of the cooking liquid later).
4. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add 2 tablespoons of olive oil; then chop and add the pancetta.
5. Brown the pieces until they are golden at the edges and transfer them to a paper-towel lined plate.
6. Add the mushrooms to the olive oil in the same skillet; season with rosemary; cook 6-8 minutes until deeply golden.
7. Push the mushrooms to the sides of the skillet; add in the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for a minute or so, then toss the mushrooms together with the garlic.
8. Add the greens to the pan; season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
9. When the greens have wilted down, add a couple ladles of the starchy pasta cooking liquid to the pan; cook for a minute to reduce it a little.
10. Drain pasta well and add it to the skillet.
11. Add in the pancetta and a handful of cheese to the pan; toss the pasta for a minute or so to allow it to absorb the remaining liquid.
12. Adjust the seasonings and serve; pass the extra cheese at the table.

By RecipeOfHealth.com