Mushroom, eggplant and turkey orecchiette

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

  • 400gm sliced white medium button mushrooms
  • 1 x 500gm pkt orecchiette pasta
  • 500gm turkey mince
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for eggplant)
  • 1 large eggplant ends trimmed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 red onion, peeled & diced
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled & diced
  • 2 x 400gm cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 x 700gm tomato passata
  • Chopped handful of each, fresh continental parsley & basil
  • 50grams grana padana cheese (or good quality parmesan)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Cook the orecchiette in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente. Strain, drizzle with a dose of olive oil & set aside.
  • Cut the eggplant into quarter’s lengthwise, sprinkle with salt, a little olive oil and let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Heat pan add 2 tbsp olive oil and brown all sides of eggplant, remove and set aside. Once cooled cut into 2cm thick slices.
  • Heat large pan add 3 tbsp olive oil and turn to low heat add onion, garlic, fennel seeds and sauté for 5 mins until softened.
  • Add mushrooms and turkey mince cook for approx. 5 mins on high heat to release moisture, break up with wooden spoon & cook until browned.
  • Add tomatoes, passata, season with salt and pepper, simmer on low heat for approx. 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
  • Fold cooked eggplant through sauce add cooked pasta to pan with basil and parsley leaving some to garnish and stir through.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and parsley and top with grated cheese.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL MUSHROOMS RECIPES