Imagine a steaming platter layered with supple noodles imbued with the golden hues of ancho-chili tomato sauce. Sporadic pops of queso blanco and freshly torn cilantro speckle the rich landscape. Pieces of succulent oyster mushrooms peak through, their edges seared to crispy perfection. Everything is finished off with a sprinkle of ruby-red pomegranate seeds for a striking contrast.

Oyster Mushroom Mexi-Italiano Noodle Fiesta

Name: Oyster Mushroom Mexi-Italiano Noodle Fiesta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Oyster Mushrooms, 2 cups cleaned and torn into pieces; pasta, fettuccine, 4 cups; canned fire roasted tomatoes, 2 cups; garlic cloves, 2 minced; lime, 1 freshly squeezed; ancho chili powder, 2 tsp; cotija cheese, 1/2 cup crumbled; fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup roughly chopped; pomegranate seeds, 1/2 cup; salt, to taste; olive oil, 2 tbsp

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: October 09, 2023

This is a truly captivating dish that perfectly marries the flavors and textures of both Italian and Mexican cuisine. The Oyster Mushrooms are the star of the show with their delicate texture, bringing a unique depth to the dish. The Mexican inspiration comes with a twist of cotija cheese, blended with the classic Italian pasta harmony.

Ingredients (for 4)

Oyster mushrooms - 2 cups - cleaned and torn into pieces
Pasta, fettuccine - 4 cups
Canned fire roasted tomatoes - 2 cups
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Lime - 1 - freshly squeezed
Ancho chili powder - 2 tsp
Cotija cheese - 1/2 cup - crumbled
Fresh cilantro - 1/2 cup - roughly chopped
Pomegranate seeds - 1/2 cup
Salt - to taste
Olive oil - 2 tbsp

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍝💦🔥

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook fettuccine pasta till al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2 - 🍄🍳🔥

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oyster mushrooms and cook until tender and golden, around 5-7 minutes.
Step 3 - 🧄🌶️🍄

Add minced garlic and ancho chili powder to the skillet with mushrooms. Stir for around 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4 - 🍅⏳🔥

Add fire roasted tomatoes to the skillet. Lower the heat and let this simmer into a thick sauce for 10 minutes.
Step 5 - 🍝🥘🌪️

Combine the cooked pasta with the thick mushroom and tomato sauce. Toss gently to combine.
Step 6 - 🧀🍋💁‍♀️

Off the heat, fold in crumbled cotija cheese and squeeze a fresh lime over the pasta.
Step 7 - 🌿🍎🍽️

Top the pasta with fresh cilantro and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately with a dash of extra cotija and ancho chili if desired.

Additional

The uniqueness of this dish comes from its fusion of culinary worlds—spicy, smoky, saucy, and tangy. Plus, it brings a pop of color sure to grab your followers' attention on Instagram. If you wish to experiment, consider adding some ground chorizo for a non-vegetarian version or use vegan cheese for a vegan option. And remember, dinner time is bonding time; kids can help with squeezing limes and plating the pasta.