1376. RIGATONI with SAVOY CABBAGE, BACON and MUSHROOM SAUCE

makes six cups


1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 to 8 large cloves garlic (about 1/2 cup), thinly sliced
8 ounces thick-cut bacon or prosciutto end, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon dried pepperoncino (hot red pepper flakes)
2 pounds savoy cabbage, trimmed, quartered, cored, and shredded 1/3-inch thick
1 pound mixed mushrooms (about 6 cups), such as porcini, chanterelles, and cremini, trimmed, sliced 1/3-inch thick
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for cooking pasta
1 cup homemade or low sodium canned chicken stock
1 pound rigatoni pasta
freshly grated Grana Padano cheese, for serving (optional)

In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and bacon, and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon fat is rendered and garlic slightly browns, 10 to 12 minutes. Add pepperoncino, letting it toast slightly, before stirring in.

Add cabbage and mushrooms; season with salt. Briefly stir vegetables, cover, reduce heat slightly, cook for 4 minutes, and stir again. Repeat until vegetables have wilted and are mixed together. Continue to simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour, adding 1/2 cup broth or water at a time, as necessary.

Uncover pan, and cook, stirring frequently and moistening sauce with broth or water as needed, until cabbage is completely soft; remove from heat. Use immediately, or refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add pasta; cook until al dente. Drain pasta, and transfer to cabbage mixture; toss to combine. Serve immediately sprinkled with cheese.


courtesy of: Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart Living, October 2005