Spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms…but I like the fancy name better.

A simple pasta dish is my ultimate (non-Asian) comfort food. This recipe was inspired by this tiny place in Venice that only had four small tables and no menu to speak of. The cooking area was even smaller than the average Manhattan apartment kitchen. It was pouring rain so we ducked into the nearest restaurant. The chef directed us to the last two seats available and asked us what we wanted. We asked for the menu and she just repeated the question. “Pasta” I answered. She then added “funghi?”. I nodded in agreement. When she turned to Marcel, all he could say was “no funghi”. I don’t remember what he ended up with but my meal was simple but full of flavor! Cooked with love by the family who owned the place.

Unfortunately, the tomatoes from our garden are still flowers at this time so I used San Marzano canned tomatoes.

Spaghetti al Pomodoro e Funghi

Ingredients:

1 package Spaghetti (Barilla No.5 is my choice)

1 28-oz can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes (I used the domestic variety as I can’t tell the difference in taste however, I can tell the difference in price )
16 ounces crimini or porcini mushrooms thinly sliced
1 small yellow onion sliced in quarters
extra virgin olive oil
coarse sea salt to taste

1. Cook pasta in salted water per package directions.
2. Sauté mushrooms and onions in olive oil. Add salt to taste.
3. Add tomatoes (use entire contents of the can) to the mushroom mix.
4. Simmer sauce for 20-30 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a potato masher.
5. Serve sauce over pasta. Add grated parmigiano reggiano cheese.

I find that I don’t need to add salt to the sauce. Just little bit while sauteing the mushrooms is enough.

This trip was taken last June 12-14, 2010. It was my third trip but my family’s first to Victoria, BC and we had a great time! Most of the pictures were taken by my brother Francis.

We started our trip by driving to Port Angeles to catch the Victoria Express. Before we got on the ferry, we grabbed a few bites at the Port Angeles Farmers’ Market. The ride was pleasant and the weather was fantastic.

The hustle and bustle at the Inner Harbour welcomed us.

We stayed at the Huntingdon Hotel which was conveniently located across the ferry dock. It was clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced.

The family waiting for Thai lunch. Yes, we like Asian food.

The streets of downtown with historic buildings.

Bastion Square

We stopped for coffee at Murchie’s where Francis spilled coffee on his pants! This prompted a trip to the mall for a new pair.

Welcome to Chinatown!

Fan Tan Alley – the narrowest street in Canada.

Dinner was at Ebizo. Perfectly cooked meats and the taste of summer in the vegetables. I highly recommend this place.

Fisherman’s Wharf was walking distance from our hotel and was a nice break from the downtown crowd.

Halibut fish and chips, calamari, and clam chowder from Barb’s. I like my fish fresh and cooked right and I was happy with this meal. I highly recommend it.

On our last night, Francis and I went out for a night photo shoot. This is the Inner Harbour with the Parliament Building in the background.

Another great trip in the Pacific Northwest

More raspberries, a few more strawberries, and the first blueberries of the season. Peppers are not too far behind with the first green bell and an Anaheim pepper.