Recipe - Balsamic Thyme Mushroom Ravioli

Pasta

Balsamic Thyme Mushroom Ravioli

If you have the inclination and some time on your hands you can make your own ravioli. A good brand of store-bought is fine. It is well worth patronizing an Italian specialty store in your area. Lifting the ravioli out of the boiling water with an Asian-style spider or slotted spoon rather than pouring them into a colander will keep them from tearing. The sauce is basically a mushroom sauté with Balsamico. Many grocery stores are now offering a mix of wild mushrooms in one container.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon Badia a Coltibuono Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large shallot, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 pound mixed mushrooms, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons Cavalli "Riserva Nando" Balsamico
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup of the pasta water
1 pound cheese ravioli
Sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper
Flat-leaf parsley, chopped garnishing
Grate Parmigiano for serving

Preparation:

Time: 30 Minutes

Yield: 4-6 Servings

Bring a large stockpot of water to a rapid boil. Salt it. Cook the ravioli according to package directions (or 1 ½ – 2 minutes if homemade), until al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water.
Heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and melt the olive oil and butter together. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, keeping watch that it doesn’t burn. Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the mushrooms and thyme. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring every few minutes until browned (6 – 8 minutes).
Add the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and reserved cooking liquid, and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes, then toss through the ravioli.
Plate up, garnish with flat-leaf parsley and serve immediately. Pass grated cheese at the table.