Spaghetti mare e monti

Spaghetti mare e monti
This pasta dish combines ingredients from the sea (mare) and from the
mountains (monti).

1⁄2oz (15g) dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed
2⁄3 cup boiling water
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
6oz (175g) white mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
6 ripe plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2⁄3 cup dry white wine
8oz (225g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1lb (450g) dried spaghetti

Combine the porcini and boiling water in a bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes. Remove the
mushrooms with a slotted spoon and chop them. Strain the soaking liquid through a fine sieve
and reserve. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the white mushrooms and
cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes, until golden. Add the porcini and garlic and cook for 30
seconds. Pour in the porcini liquid, add the bay leaf, and simmer until the liquid is reduced to
a glaze. Reduce the heat to low.
Add the tomatoes and wine and simmer for 7–8 minutes, until the liquid is slightly reduced
and the tomatoes are beginning to break down. Remove the bay leaf. Add the shrimp and cook
for 1 minute, or until just opaque. Season with salt and pepper.
When the sauce is almost done, cook the spaghetti in the boiling water according to the
package directions until al dente. Drain well, then return to the pot. Add the sauce and toss well.
Transfer to deep bowls and serve hot.