Pasta Alla Norcina

Instructions

Spray a large plate with vegetable oil spray. In a medium bowl, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt and baking soda in 4 teaspoons water. Gently fold in pork until combined and let stand for 10 minutes.

Add one-third of the garlic, 3/4 teaspoon rosemary, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg and smear with a rubber spatula until well combined and tacky, 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer sausage mixture to prepared plate and form into a rough 6 inch (15-cm) patty.

Pulse mushrooms in food processor until finely chopped, 10 to 12 pulses.

In a 12-inch (30-cm) skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 teaspoons of the oil until just smoking. Add patty and cook, without moving it, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until well browned on second side, 2 to 3 minutes longer (very center will be raw). Transfer patty to cutting board and chop into 1/8- to 1/4-inch (3- to 6-mm) pieces.

In a large pot over high heat, bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander and return it to pot.

Meanwhile, in now-empty skillet over medium heat, warm 3 teaspoons oil. Add mushrooms and remaining pinch salt and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in remaining garlic, remaining 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 teaspoons oil and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until completely evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in sausage, cream, and 3/4 cup pasta cooking water and simmer until meat is no longer pink, 1 to 3 minutes. Off heat, stir in Pecorino Romano until smooth.

Add sauce, parsley, and lemon juice to pasta and toss to coat. Adjust consistency with reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Mains