GF Pasta with Mushroom-Spinach Cream Sauce

[alishalynn_]

 So I've been cooking a lot, and I've decided to start posting here. Lately i've been making very unhealthy (but delicious) meals, but i plan on changing that. My theory is that I'll start out following recipes as are (healthy or not) and then once i get more comfortable in the kitchen i can substitute healthier options. All my recipes are going to be gluten-free (GF).

Tonight I made GF pasta with a mushroom-spinach cream sauce

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 cup-ish of romano/asiago/parmesan cheese mixture from TJ
• 1 shallot
• 3 Portabella mushroom caps chopped
• a small dallop of light sour cream (optional)
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tspn fresh black pepper
• 1 large handful of spinach- chopped (very exact measurement, i know!)
• 1 bag of gluten free pasta (or not... if you're not gf haha)

Preparation:

1. First things first. gather all your ingredients on the counter. I've found it's SO much easier if i get everything out initially. It makes my cooking experience so much more relaxing because I'm not running around like a crazy woman trying to find something in the cupboard while stiring risotto or something and then ruining my dinner.



This is what i started out with, but things changed as i went about the process. I added garlic and spinach and i took away the onion. Also, please not my adorable new measuring cups that i got for $3.99 at marshall's! Such a steal and so cute. I also picked up those new tablespoons.  

2. In a medium sauce pan melt butter over low heat
3. Add your garlic and shallots. Once they have softened a bit, go ahead and throw in your mushrooms. At first i thought I had too much butter (as if that's possible!) but the mushrooms really help to absorb that. I kept the heat at medium-low.can we just take a second to recognize how beautiful these mushrooms are? I finally tried mushrooms last week after years of not liking them and I think i'm in love! If anyone else has any recipes send them my way please!
    


can we just take a second to recognize how beautiful these mushrooms are? I finally tried mushrooms last week after years of not liking them and I think i'm in love! If anyone else has any recipes send them my way please!


I added another picture just because i love these mushrooms. This is right after I added them/before the absorbed the butter.

4. Once your mushrooms have softened add in your heavy cream, sour cream (if you so desire) pepper, and salt. You'll want to whisk all these ingredients together for a good 2 minutes or so.***Side note on the heavy cream: make sure you shake the carton at the store. I opened mine and it was a solid... pretty disgusting, plus i had to go back out and buy a new thing of it! 




woo! my cream is not a solid! SUCCESS!

5. Add in all your cheese and spinach, stir this with a spoon instead of a whisk until your cheese is melty. turn off the heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Serve over pasta and enjoy :) I topped it with a little extra cheese, some dried basil, and extra black pepper. 

This dish is very good, but very rich. Luckily for my caloric intake i could only finish about 1/3 of it. That being said, I enjoyed every bite :)

♥
Alisha