WOW!
This was an unexpected surprise. Maybe it was the concept or the multiple “bonne idee”s that threw me. Once started, I had my reservations about the long cooking time. The two things that really stuck with me when I read the other ideas were: wine. and truffles. I thought that those items would definitely make this a bit more special, while not taking away from the simplicity of the dish. If you were to add spinach and mushrooms and bacon and leeks – well, you’d end up with a casserole (albeit, likely a good one). In any event, I decided to stick a little closer to the original concept. I’m oh so glad I did…
I originally planned on a smaller batch, since I didn’t really know what Dorie would call 4 starter servings. But as I got rolling, well, things happen. I melted about 2 T of butter in my pan, added the chopped small onion and let the onions soften. Then I added a few tablespoons of some prosecco I had on hand and let that simmer until it was about evaporated. I decided to add the pasta (about 1.5 cups) to coat with the buttery onions first – a little more like risotto. And then added my stock – really, my 3.5 cups of water and a corresponding amount of Penzey’s chicken stock base.
This all gets cooked down, uncovered, for what seemed like a long time. Dorie’s 20-25 minutes seemed long for pasta to begin with, and it took a bit more to reduce the stock. This had me a little concerned, since overcooked pasta isn’t my favorite. But. Sometimes it’s a good idea to stick with the experts. So, once that’s complete, I added close to a 1/4 c of cream (or what was left over from whatever else I’d made earlier in the week). That gets cooked to thicken a few more minutes, and then a good dollop of marscapone and a healthy dose of Parmesan get added here, along with some pepper.
And that’s it. Um, except for the truffle salt. I actually forgot that I was going to use some, so I did salt the dish a bit, then backed off. This really sends the dish to a different level, I think. I don’t have actual truffles around, but I think that this is a great way to get that fabulous flavor in a bang-for-the buck package. It lasts better than the oil (though that’s delicious too), and it’s just amazing on almost anything.
This was to be really a main dish with a little home made focaccia and a beautiful Sonoma Brut.
And this was truly delicious! Not risotto, but maybe better. I’m fortunate enough to go out to some fancy steakhouses from time to time, and have enjoyed some decadent “mac and cheese” – I’d take this over any of those lobster concoctions any day! This was delightful on it’s own. But this would make a spectacular (and very approachable) side for a great steak or other simple meaty dish. Of course, something green would have been smart – then I might not have had quite so much – but it was planned as a bit of decadence, so why not? I hope that others who tried this liked it as much as I did. You can find their results here.
dulceshome 
This was irresistible, wasn’t it? Glad you enjoyed it, too!!! Happy New Year!
Your dish turned out fantastic.
Looking DELISH! will be making this again!
Your dish sounds great! I really enjoyed it too!
The ditalini are so cute. If I had had some mascarpone I would have definitely stepped back from the additions. Seriously, cheesy pasta with a dash of truffle salt (well, oil in my case) and bubbly bring me joy just typing about them.
I also used ditalini. The small pasta was perfect for this dish! Wonderfully luscious…what could be better than cheesy pasta? Happy New Year, Candy!
I am so bummed that I forgot about my truffle oil. Everyone who’s added truffle flavor has loved it… yours looks so delicious. Happy New Year.
This was so delectable! Truffles would be the only thing to make it better – but truffle oil works. Happy New Year!
Ah, the wine was a nice touch! I like what you did with this – it looks great!
Your risotto looks delicious. This was a great dish. Happy New Year!
Adding wine sounds like a great idea. And drinking some bubbly with this sounds like a meal I can get behind. I loved truffle salt on top of the pasta too. Have a Happy New Year, Candy!
Truffle salt sounds like a good idea. I was wishing I had a truffle to shave over mine!
I got into the bonne idees too. So many of them just sounded so good. Next time, truffles! I bet it smelled amazing.
It was too good and I bet even better once you added the truffle salt! 🙂 #jealous LOL
This recipe was such a treat!!!
Lovely photos- you captured how rich this did end up. (not easy- as yummy but not a photogenic dish 🙂 I also enjoyed hearing about the Penzey’s stock base. I really need to add that to my list when I do a “spice run”. I tend to end up with a cup or half cup leftover from a container of liquid stock and it goes to waste. I also used the ditalini and it worked like a charm.
I think we all would have loved to have a truffle or two on hand to shave over this one 🙂
This was delicious, wasn’t it?
Decadent IS a good way to describe this. Won’t be the last time I make it this way.
Truffle salt is a true secret ingredient for so much isn’t it? It was certainly perfect for this.
I was concerned about the cooking time as well, but it all worked out in the end to be a wonderful dish. I did use some truffle salt (I got some for Christmas), but I didn’t use enough to get the right effect (I was afraid of over-salting).
Love your additions to this – sounds perfect!
Truffle salt? Sonoma Brut? Oh… you know how to live! What a perfect pairing!