Guajillo Chile & Oyster Mushroom Fettuccine: Recipe #2 from the Nueva Cocina Mexicana Cooking Class

I thought I would post the second recipe from the Nueva Cocina Mexicana Cooking Class we took last Saturday (the first post on the class is here); the Guajillo Chile & Oyster Mushroom Fettuccine. I really loved the combo of flavors in this recipe and the chilies add more spice flavor than actual heat to the dish so it passed the Mom test too. I was not familiar with the Guajillo Chile, which is a dark reddish-brown chile with more of a mild to moderate heat. (GourmetSleuth has a good write up and photo here).

Guajillo Chile & Oyster Mushroom Fettuccine

Chef Adriana Torres
4 servings

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12 oz dry fettuccine pasta

16 oz oyster mushrooms

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 guajillo chilies, seeded, de-veined and cut in to thin strips

3 Tbsp Butter

1/4 cup white wine

2-3 cups milk (1/2 & 1/2 is recommended)

salt

pepper

2 oz Manchego cheese, grated

cilantro (optional)
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Directions: Cook pasta in boiling water (with a pinch of salt and olive oil) for approximately 11 minutes or until pasta is "al dente". Meanwhile, saute garlic and chilies in butter, add the mushrooms. Cook for a few minutes until mushrooms begin to soften. Add wine and cook until it evaporates, then add milk. Mix in the pasta, toss it around and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with cheese and cilantro leaves (optional).

Buen Provencho!

Results: Very quick and simple to make with a nice creamy texture and good flavor. You could substitute other mushrooms for the oyster mushrooms with good results. I do like a bit more cheese on mime too--but doesn't a bit more cheese make everything better?! I expect you could find the chilies in a Latin market (we are lucky to have a great one here that I will post about one of these days) or even in a well stocked grocery store or on-line if all else fails.

BTW: Regarding our class and the recipes, Chef Adrianna spoke a lot about Chef Patricia Qunitana, an acclaimed chef, teacher and author in Mexico. She started the first culinary institute in Mexico and runs the restaurant Izote in Mexico City. (Her bio is here) The recipes we cooked--modern Mexican with traditional ingredients combined with non-traditional ingredients and cooking methods are inspired by Chef Qunitana.

Happy Aloha Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!