PPN: Straw And Hay Pasta

Well.  Never count your chickens before they hatch.  Picture me at the knee surgeon's office today, learning that I don't qualify for a knee replacement. And picture the look on my face when he discounted the pain I feel in my knee everyday, telling me to learn to live with it.  Instead, he's sending me off to physical therapy.  I may try acupuncture on my own too. 

The Straw and Hay Pasta I made didn't help the pain in my knee in any way. But, it was quick to fix and soothing. It must have been all those carbs.  Straw and Hay recipes usually call for shredded prosciutto, but I used thinly sliced mushrooms instead.  They weren't as rich as prosciutto, but they gave the pasta a slightly meaty taste.  I love the look of the green and white pasta mixed together.  They almost made me feel cheerful.

This dish is my submission to Presto Pasta Night, which was started by the wonderful Ruth at Once Upon A Feast. Each Friday Ruth has a recap of wonderful pasta recipes from bloggers from all over the world.  So, do stop by and check it out.

Straw & Hay Pasta

8 ounces thin white pasta  (I used fresh, but dried is fine too)
8 ounces thin green pasta
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 shallot chopped fine
1/2 cup cream or half & half
about 2/3 cup thinly sliced mushrooms (I used good old white mushrooms)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely diced

Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet or sauce pan and add the garlic, shallot, and mushrooms. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Put into a dish and set aside.  Pour the cream into the skillet and heat until hot over medium heat.  Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the pasta in well salted boiling water according to directions.  Drain and pour the cream sauce over it, then add the mushrooms mixture and toss well. Add lots of freshly ground pepper.

Comments

[DaviMack]

The pasta sounds quite yummy! Sorry about the knee - but there's hope in the other therapies, yes?

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Do try acupuncture -- in fact, try anything you can to alleviate the pain. Awful when you get your hopes up for something that then doesn't come through. Meanwhile, there is wonderful pasta to be had.

[Julie]

Get a second opinion! Although if you could achieve pain-free use of your knee without surgery that seems preferable.

I haven't thought about straw and hay pasta in forever. Great idea.

[jennywenny]

I cant begin to imagine the pain you are going through and I'm really sorry that they cant help you, but I wanted to give you some ideas, which you can ignore, maybe you already do them.
My feet are pronated, so I was recommended superfeet insoles and they helped to align my knees properly. I also try to roll on my side on a foam roller every day to stretch my IT band. I also dont do any squats ever as that seems to aggravate. Sometimes it feels like they hurt more when I'm less active but I think your problem may be different to mine. :(

[Kittie]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. Is there any chance you can get a second opinion?

I'm no hippie, but I have a lot of problems with my back, and alternative therapies have helped a lot - including acupuncture (which I hated but kept returning to as it *really* helped!). As a word of warning though - make sure you find an accredited practitioner, and have a consultation first - in the UK anyway there are a lot of differences in levels of service in this area.

Good luck!

[Ruth]

Bummer about the knee! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for alternative cures. Thanks for sharing a great dish with Presto Pasta Nights in spite of your knee situation.

[Bananarants]

Yummy sounding recipe! Sorry to hear about your knee woes ... I'm a total needle phobe and I've done both acupuncture and IMS (dry needling). I'm like Kittie in that I don't enjoy them, but they work wonders. And my mom has bad knees and has found acupuncture/IMS have done amazing things for her. I hope you find some knee relief!

[michelle @ TNS]

blah about your knee, but yay for that pasta - love the colors.

[Emily]

I am so sorry you've been in such pain, and I too really recommend a second opinion, if only to get a doctor that actually expresses some concern and empathy about the fact that you're in pain, rather then telling you to "suck it up."

[Cape Cod Kitty]

So sorry to hear about the outcome of the Dr. visit. A second opinion would be good, and I have to say that PT helped me to postpone knee replacement for about 6 years, and so far exercise is helping me to stave off the second one.
Meanwhile, lots of kitty love is in order and thank you for the beautiful recipe. Looks so good!

[Emily]

Boo hiss to that stupid Dr! I fourth the second opinion option but I am also a cheerleader for acupunture and Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It sounds crazy that someone can figure out whats wrong with you by staring at your tongue but I have seen some amazing things cured that way (including husbando's hayfever and a friend's long term insomnia!)

Hang in there! We're all cheering for you!

[Deborah]

Sorry to hear about your knee, but this pasta sounds delicious!

[Kalyn]

That's a drag about the knee surgery, but I agree heartily with the recommendations to get another opinion. I haven't had accupuncture, but I know people who swear by it, worth a try for sure.

[Melly]

Sher,

Sorry to hear about the no surgery news. I may hear the same thing with regard to my sleep apnea.

Dave's dr also suggested shoe inserts which did help his knee and his bad foot. He got his at kaiser..even though we have blue cross. He says it makes a difference!

[April]

Sorry to hear that Sher! My hubby has had the physical therapy go-round with his knee twice before. It has really helped. A soft brace helped too. I hope physical therapy works you!

[nina]

This is a lovely looking plate of comfort food....

[Lore]

I'm sorry about the pain in your knee but I'm hopeful that different therapies will help.

Your pasta dish looks just perfect for a pasta addict like me.

[Peter]

My mom's just over her 2nd knee operation...I know the pain you have but try again elsewhere for qualifying...you'll be better with it.

I'd be better with a bowl of this pasta...some grated cheese pleaze!

[Kashim & Othello + Momma Astrid]

Oh we are so sorry, that your knee is not getting better and there seems not much help from your human V-E-T as well :(
we are sending healing purrs and headbumpies!
puuurs, Kashim & Othello

Mmmmmh I love this picture of your pasta, may I have some?
Regarding your knee: I know exactly what you are feeling. Ever since I had an operation on my left patella (when I was 17) I am in pain. Sometimes more sometimes less but it's basically always there. As you described: my right knee eventually through the years became bad too...
Well I should stop the whining here. Sorry 'bout your knee and I do hope that you will find a way to ease the pain.
-Astrid

[Q]

Here via Fatfree Vegan, first for the CI hummus recipe and then exploring, and got distracted by this post due to deep-rooted knee empathy. I'm waiting for Synvisc shots to kick in and facing a knee replacement if they don't, so I feel your pain in a big way. Hang in there - and do get a second opinion, if you can (insurance won't always allow for that sanity saver, I realize).

Also, the title of your blog fills me with glee, as that is the self-same question my family has always asked one another immediately upon receiving a returning traveller.

[Q]

Here via Fatfree Vegan, first for the CI hummus recipe and then exploring, and got distracted by this post due to deep-rooted knee empathy. I'm waiting for Synvisc shots to kick in and facing a knee replacement if they don't, so I feel your pain in a big way. Hang in there - and do get a second opinion, if you can (insurance won't always allow for that sanity saver, I realize).

[Lizz]

sorry to hear about the knee. (you were supposed to be keeping me posted on it; i guess this counts!) i might have to go to dixon tomorrow; want me to pick you up? we could grab an iced anything!