Easy Mushroom Pasta Recipe

If you’re very active, sometimes you just want a simple refuel, fast. This is my I.C.E (in case of emergency) evening meal. It’s high in carbs, a fair bit of fat and protein from the dairy and mushrooms. If you’re exercising a lot, you need carbs as your number #1 fuel source. Don’t let anyone tell you different! Carbs can be good!

Makes two huge portions, One for Andy and one for me. I eat half in the evening and save the other half to heat up for lunch the next day. Fair distribution of carbs…

INGREDIENTS

Punnet of fresh mushrooms, I like chestnut, finely chopped

Vegetable stock, a cube is fine

½ packet cream cheese, you can make it full fat

Dollop of green pesto

Olive oil
knob of butter

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 small onion, finely diced

optional - dried porcini mushrooms rehydrated (keep the juice)
optional - Rocket leaves and herbs

250 grams of your favourite pasta, splash out for a good quality dried pasta. I like Valvonna and Crolla

METHOD

• Gently heat butter with oil and saute chopped onion and garlic.

• Keep the heat at a medium low and add the chopped mushrooms. If you have any rehydrated porcini mushrooms, add them in with some of the mushroom juice.

• Otherwise, add a splash of water just to cover bottom of the pan (not too much) with the veg stock. Cover and gently cook the mushrooms until tender.

• Add in a tablespoon or so of pesto, to taste. Toss in any fresh herbs you have: finely chopped fresh thyme, sage, origano, even chives, adds a depth of flavour and more nutrition.

• Get the dried pasta cooking in a large pan with loads of water. Bring to a rolling boil and simmer. You can turn the mushrooms down if they’re cooked, or even put them aside.

• When the pasta is nearly done, stir in a third to a half punnet of cream cheese to make the sauce well creamy. You can also add a few handfuls of washed rocket leaves, or ripped fresh basil.

• Toss the pasta in the mushroom sauce and sprinkle with rocket leaves and pan-browned pine nuts (if you’re feeling fancy).

• It’s a feast for refueling. Eat it early in the evening then relax.