Fusilli Alla Carlo

This is the Runner-Up recipe for 1988 in the San Francisco Chronicle, by Carlo Middione. I'm submitting the recipe exactly as found but, go ahead, add the garlic! (you know you want to!) ;-)

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  ounces unsalted butter
• 4  ounces pancetta, sliced 1/8 inch thick, then cut into 1/4-inch long pieces
• 6  ounces  chopped domestic mushrooms (about 2 cups)
• 1  cup  chopped peeled-and-cored tomatoes
• 2 1⁄4 cups heavy cream
•  salt and pepper
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  imported italian  fusilli
• 3  ounces pine nuts, toasted until golden in a dry skillet (1/3 cup)
• 3⁄4 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄3 cup  freshly grated  pecorino cheese

Directions

1. Put the butter, pancetta and mushrooms in a large skillet and saute until golden. Add the tomatoes and toss everything together. Add the cream and simmer over medium heat until the cream is thick and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water. (The ratio is 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water.) Drain the pasta but do not shake all the water out; it should be moist, not wet. (See note.).
3. Toss the pasta, pine nuts and Parmesan in a large, warm bowl. Add the sauce and mix again. Serve in warmed pasta plates or basin-shaped plates. Sprinkle on the pecorino cheese and add a bit more pepper to garnish.
4. Pass more cheese at the table.