- 12g dried porcini mushrooms
- 1 onion
- 400g wonky mushrooms
- 200g wholewheat penne
- 1 garlic clove
- A handful of rosemary
- 4 tbsp half fat créme fraîche
- A pinch of chilli flakes
- 50g watercress
- 150ml boiling water
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- Measuring jug
- Large frying pan
- Large pan with lid
- 1.
Fill and boil your kettle. Pop the dried porcini into a heatproof jug and pour over enough water to just cover them. Leave to soak for 5 mins, then drain the porcini and tip them back into the jug. Pour in 150ml hot water from the kettle and set the porcini aside to soak for 2-3 mins.
- 2.
While the porcini soak, peel and finely chop the onion. Rinse the fresh mushrooms and tear them into bite-sized pieces.
- 3.
Place a large frying pan on a medium heat and add ½ tbsp olive oil, the onion and mushrooms. Scoop the porcini out of the jug (keep the soaking water) and add them to the pan. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry for 8 mins, stirring often, till softened and lightly coloured.
- 4.
Meanwhile, pour the hot water from the kettle into a large pan, topping it up if necessary. Add a pinch of salt and bring the water back to the boil. Tip in the penne and cook for 8-10 mins till the pasta is al dente (soft with a slight bite).
- 5.
Peel and grate or crush the garlic. Finely chop the rosemary leaves. When the veg have fried for 8 mins, add the garlic and rosemary to the pan. Cook and stir for 2 mins. Meanwhile, drain the pasta if you haven't already, and set it to one side.
- 6.
Pour the porcini water into the pan and add 4 tbsp crème fraîche. Turn the heat down to low and very gently warm through for 1-2 mins. Tip in the pasta, add a pinch of dried chilli flakes (they're hot, so use as much or as little as you prefer) and gently toss to mix.
- 7.
Taste the pasta and add more salt, pepper or chilli flakes if you think it needs them. Serve the mushroom pasta in a couple of warm bowls, topped with handfuls of watercress.