Cheese-Filled Tortellini with a Spicy Mushroom Sauce

Here is another classic from Raghavan Iyer's indispensable book 660 Curries. This recipe has been adapted from his Contemporary Curries section that includes many inspired vegetarian recipes that are sure to please fans of Indian creations. I'd be willing to sacrifice a lot to actually eat this man's food cooked by his own hands. Thankfully, I was fortunate to come across his book when I used to work at a local branch library. As I have noted before, this treasured cookbook has made a delightful gift on more than a few occasions.

This is a rich meal, but one that you will remember for years afterwords and also one that you will well consider making to wow your dinner guests. I admit I didn't prepare my own fresh tortellini, but it is summer after all, and warm weather in Ontario is too sacred not to enjoy while it lasts.

I am sending this off to Mansi of Fun and Food who is hosting this week's edition of Presto Pasta Nights, a popular food event started by Ruth.

Cheese-Filled Tortellini with a Spicy Mushroom Sauce

2 tablespoons of ghee, or a mixture of butter and oil
1 1/4 pounds of wild mushrooms (I used cremini)
14 grams of dried mushrooms (I used lobster mushrooms)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
4 - 6 dried red chilies, crumbled
2 1/2 cups of sour cream
1/2 cup of mashed goat cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
2/3 teaspoons of garam masala
1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 pounds of fresh cheese filled tortellini

Heat the ghee, or butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium - high heat. when hot, add the mushrooms, garlic and chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms shrink and brown and begin to lose their liquid, roughly 10 - 15 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium low, stir in the sour cream and goat cheese, along with the garam masala and salt. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for roughly 15 minutes.

While the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, reduce the heat to medium - high, and cook until tender. Drain and transfer to a serving dish.

Stir the dill into the sauce and cover the pasta with the mushroom sauce.

Yields roughly 6 servings.

More pasta recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen that you will be sure to enjoy:
Mushroom Marinara Sauce with Quinoa Pasta
Rye Pasta with a Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce and Goat Cheese
Macaroni and Paneer Cheese with Spinach
Penne with Fennel, Tomato Sauce and Blue Cheese

On the top of the reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Audio Accompaniment: street noise, chirping birds, rustling leaves and a dripping tap