Smoked Mushrooms and Tasso over Orecchiette

• 1 pound orecchiette, cooked just prior to serving
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped tasso
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (white parts only)
• 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 pound Smoked Mushrooms, recipe follows
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (recommended: Emeril's Kick it Up Hot Red Sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus 3 more tablespoons for garnish
• 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onions (green parts), for garnish

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the orecchiette and cook until just al dente, about 3 minutes.
3. Drain in a colander, return to the pot, and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil.
4. Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add the tasso and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
6. Add the green onion whites, the shallots, and garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
7. Add the smoked mushrooms, stir well, and cook for 1 minute.
8. Add the cream and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
9. Add the Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt, 1/2 cup cheese, and cold butter and stir well.
10. Divide the pasta among 4 or 6 plates and spoon the sauce evenly over the top.
11. Garnish with the green onions and remaining 3 tablespoons cheese and serve immediately.
12. 1 pound button mushrooms, stemmed, wiped clean, and quartered
13. 2 tablespoons olive oil
14. 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
15. Combine the mushrooms, oil, and Essence in a medium bowl and toss to coat evenly.
16. Prepare a stovetop smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
17. Place the mushrooms on the grill pan and partially cover the smoker, leaving the lid ajar by 1-inch.
18. Place over medium heat.
19. When it begins to smoke, close the lid completely and cook until the mushrooms are tender and completely smoked, about 25 minutes.
20. Remove from the smoker and set aside until ready to assemble the pasta.
21. Yield: 1 pound
22. 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
23. 2 tablespoons salt
24. 2 tablespoons garlic powder
25. 1 tablespoon black pepper
26. 1 tablespoon onion powder
27. 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
28. 1 tablespoon dried oregano
29. 1 tablespoon dried thyme
30. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
31. Yield: 2/3 cup
32. Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
33. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

orecchiette, olive oil, tasso, green onions, shallots, garlic, mushrooms, heavy cream, worcestershire sauce, hot pepper, salt, parmesan, cold unsalted butter, green onions

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/smoked-mushrooms-and-tasso-over-orecchiette-recipe.html (may not work)