Orecchiette alla Norcina with walnut gremolata

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Pasta

Ingredients

  • For the Gremolata:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp minced lemon zest
  • Salt to taste
  • For the pasta:
  • 1/2 lb dry orecchiette
  • For the sauce:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb pork chops, trimmed, season with salt and pepper
  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
  • 1/4 cup minced shallots
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh garlic
  • 2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Romano
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Directions

  1. For the gremolata, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium. Toast bread crumbs and walnuts, 3-4 minutes; transfer to a bowl and let cool. Stir in parsley and zest and season gremolata with salt.

  2. For the pasta, cook orecchiette as directed; drain and set aside.

  3. For the sauce, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add chops; saute until they reach 135, 2 minutes per side. Transfer chops to a plate, let rest 5 minutes, then dice.

  4. Add mushrooms to skillet; cook over medium-high heat until browned, 4-5 minutes. Stir in shallots, garlic and rosemary; cook 1 minute. Deglaze skillet with wine; reduce until evaporated. Stir in cream and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer sauce until thickened, 5-6 minutes.

  5. Stir in romano, nutmeg, orecchiette, and pork to heat through; season with salt and pepper flakes. Garnish servings with gremolata.

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