Wild Mushroom & Sausage Pappardelle

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

In lieu of “National Pasta Day” we decided to share one of our favorite recipes from Kenwood Vineyards “Perfect Pairings” recipe book. Created by their team of Executive Chefs, this dish is perfect for the cooler weather ahead and pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir.

  • 8 ounces Pappardelle pasta
  • 2 tablespoons thyme, fresh leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-2 small dried red chilies, crumbled
  • 9 ounces good spicy sausage
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound mixed wild mushrooms*

* Shitakes, oysters, or hen of the woods, trimmed and torn or cut up.

Mushroom Pappardelle

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat; add sausage, onion and garlic, breaking sausage up with spoon while cooking until onions are golden, about 7 minutes. If sausage is fatty, drain excess drippings from pan. Add mushrooms, thyme, and chilies; cook, stirring frequently until mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente in a large pot. Drain, saving ½ cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.

Add butter to mushroom mixture, along with a little of the cooking liquid from the pasta to loosen and deglaze. Pour mushroom mixture, parsley and parmesan cheese into pot with pasta and toss to combine. Turn out onto large platter to serve. May be garnished with more parsley and cheese.

Serves: 4-6

Love pasta? Love wine? Don’t forget to enter the “Perfect Pasta Pairing” contest for a chance to win a trip for two to beautiful Sonoma County valued at $5,000.

Tweet us at @ApronsStilettos and share with us your favorite pasta recipe for #NationalPastaDay!

Source: Kenwood Vineyards

This Fall We’re Falling for Figs

Basket of Homegrown Figs

Rochelle and I absolutely LOVE figs and when the weather begins to turn we know that the fig season is upon us. Both of us are lucky enough to have several fig trees on the property which allows us to quickly whip up an easy, yet delicious, appetizer or spruce up any entrée. If you haven’t given figs a try, check out these simple recipes below.

Fig, Prosciutto and Blue Cheese Pizza

Fig Pizza

(click here for recipe)

Rosemary Infused Goat Cheese Figs

Rosemary Figs

(click here for recipe)

Blue Cheese, Honey and Walnut Figs

Blue Cheese, Honey and Fig Appetizer

(click here for recipe)

Enjoy and don’t forget to tweet or leave us a comment with your favorite fig recipes – we love hearing from you! ~Crystal

Homegrown Figs

Enter To Win A Pasta Lovin’ Getaway

Salmon Pasta & Chardonnay

Perfect Pasta Pairing Contest

Calling all amateur chefs! Do you make a dynamite pasta dish? Do you love wine? Well, this contest is for you. Kenwood Vineyards is challenging entrants to share their pasta masterpieces in the Kenwood Vineyards “Perfect Pasta Pairing Contest.” Contest is now open until December 1, 2013 so get to the store, pick up your favorite ingredients and get cooking!

There will be six category winners who will be selected to win a pasta lovin’ gift basket full of kitchen essentials and one grand prize winner who will win a pasta lovin’ wine country getaway. This grand prize winner will be treated to a three-day, two-night Kenwood Vineyards culinary experience for two, including airfare, lodging, meals, daily car service, a behind-the-scenes tour of Kenwood Vineyards and more. Please read official rules here.  Good luck!

1) Create an original pasta recipe

2) Pair with Kenwood Vineyards wine

3) Enter to win

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SOURCE: Kenwood Vineyards