Spaghetti in a Mushroom-Bacon-Red Wine Sauce

I know it?s the New Year and everyone has their resolutions and goals for this year written down and a pasta dish with a bacon and red wine sauce is probably the last thing on your mind. I myself have a challenge going with my younger brother. This year, after what has been a very food-filled holiday {especially in the dessert department} we are trying to steer clear of sweets, chocolates and other desserts for one whole month. It sounds impossible and when you think about the position that I?m in you?ll understand that I have to prove that I have some serious willpower.

Not only do I work in the land of Toblerone, Oreos and Milka chocolate but my birthday is also? in the middle of the month which may pose a serious problem. We?ve decided to make this important day even more special by making it a ?cheat day?. I?m excited about proving that I will win this challenge. In addition to not eating desserts and sweets I?ll also try to watch what I eat on a daily basis. Unhealthy snacks have found their way into my mouth a bit too often over the last month and I?d really like to get back to eating real food.

And speaking of real food let?s turn our attention to this wonderful creation my? brother Alex shared with me last week. My mom and? had the lunch menu all ready and planned out when he insisted on going shopping and making lunch for us. We ended up with a 4-course meal on a dull Friday afternoon which was great. Although I didn?t want to admit it at first, this dish blew my socks off. It?s a mixture of delicious flavors and ingredients and the end results is unbeatable. Before you think that my brother invented this dish let me clarify that his friend made this dish for him, so he should be credited as the brains behind the dish.

If there?s one pasta dish you need to make this has got to be it. It has a subtle hint of bacon, loaded with mushrooms and has a heavy note of red wine. The sauce will be super creamy and cover every inch of the pasta which will probably lead to a tomato covered face.

I?m honestly out of ways of how to advertise this dish so let?s just have a look at how it?s done.

Start by heating up a bit of oil in a large skillet. We used our IKEA wok which is one of our favorite kitchen gadgets. When the oil is hot add the bacon and let it fry until crispy.

After about 5 minutes on medium-high add the onions and turn up the heat. Continue stirring occasionally.

When the onions have browned add the garlic and let the flavors combine for another 2-3 minutes.

Get your dried mushrooms, transfer them into a bowl and cover with warm water. The mushrooms should not be completely covered with water. Stir occasionally while letting the mushrooms soak for about 10-15 minutes.

Now add a good amount of tomato paste to the bacon mixture.

Stir that in and check that everything is covered with the paste. If not, just add a little bit more.

Now get a strainer and drain the water from the mushrooms into the skillet. Do not add the mushrooms just yet.

Stir in the water until a thick sauce forms and reduce to medium heat.

Now comes the fun part. Get a bottle of your favorite red wine and start pouring in a glass. Don?t forget to pour yourself a glass too! I am not sure how much wine we added in total, Alex was very generous and I?m sure when I wasn?t looking he added another glass or two. It?s totally up to you how much you choose to add but make sure you choose a wine that you like to drink because you can really taste it when the sauce and pasta are combined.

When the wine is stirred in add the mushrooms. If you feel that the sauce need more liquid add a but of water.

Now get some parsley . We used the frozen and chopped kind but if you want to use dried parsley that ok too.

When the spaghetti has cooked drain it and toss in the sauce.

Then stir in 3 tablespoons of parsley.

Aaaand you?re done! Yummy, right?

Serve with a sprinkle of parsley and parmesan and treat yourself to another glass of wine.

Spaghetti in a Mushroom-Bacon-Red Wine Sauce

serves 4

Ingredients:

• 350-400g spaghetti
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 200g bacon, chopped into small cubes
• 2 medium size onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 100g of tomato paste
• 300g dried mushrooms
• 250ml red wine {or add the amount that you prefer}
• 3 tbsp. chopped parsley {either fresh, frozen or dried}

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the pack.
2. Soak the dried mushrooms in warm water. Do not completely cover with water.
3. Heat up 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet or wok and once hot add the bacon cubes. Once crispy add the onions and after about 4 minutes of stirring incorporate the minced garlic.
4. When the flavors have come together add about 100g of tomato paste. If you prefer a different quantity add as much or little as you want.
5. Now drain the mushrooms and add the water directly into the sauce. Stir in until a thick sauce forms.
6. Now add the red wine and stir until completely incorporated.
7. Add the mushrooms and stir in.
8. When the pasta has cooked drain in and toss into the sauce. Add 3 tbsp. of parsley and cover every bit of spaghetti with the sauce.
9. Serve with a sprinkle of parsley and if desired with freshly grated parmesan.

Tagged as: bacon, garlic, onion, parsely, red wine, spaghetti, tomato paste

Source: http://www.healthinspirations.net/2013/01/07/spaghetti-in-a-mushroom-bacon-red-wine-sauce/

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