Pappardelle with Marsala Mushroom Sauce and Crispy Prosciutto

• 1/2 pound sliced Prosciutto di Parma
• 1 cup, loosely packed, sliced dried porcini mushrooms
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound mixed mushrooms such as cremini, Hen of the Woods/Maitake and Chanterelles, wiped clean and sliced
• 2 large shallots, finely chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic, chopped or grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup Marsala
• About 1/3 cup heavy cream
• A small handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 pound dried pappardelle
• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1 cup to mix plus additional to pass

Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake 10 minutes until crispy.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta.

Place the dried mushrooms in a small pot and cover with stock. Bring to boil then reduce heat to a simmer to reconstitute mushrooms.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high to high heat with EVOO, 2 turns of the pan. Melt butter into oil then add fresh mushrooms and brown until tender and deeply fragrant. Add shallots, garlic and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Turn heat back a bit and cook to soften 2-3 minutes. Remove the porcini from the stock and chop. Add them to the sautéed mushrooms then deglaze the mushrooms with Marsala. Add the porcini stock to pan, leaving behind any grit that has settled at the bottom of the pot, stir in cream and parsley, and reduce heat to a low simmer.

Salt pasta water and cook pasta to al dente. Reserve 1/2 to 3/4 cup starchy cooking liquid then drain pasta. Toss pasta with sauce and a splash of cooking water. Add in cheese slowly, use more cooking water to marry the sauce to pasta if necessary. Serve with more cheese at the table to pass.