Spaghetti Alla Caruso

Spaghetti alla Caruso was named after the famed Italian tenor Enrico Caruso who reigned over the Metropolitan Opera house for eighteen years. Caruso, who frequently cooked, loved chicken livers and incorporated them into this dish with San Marzano tomatoes, mushrooms onions and garlic. Chicken liver is widely used in Italy.

1 pound of chicken livers, separated into individual lobes and all visible fat removed
1 cup of flour for dredging
2 Tbls of extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbls of butter
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 oz. of Crimini mushrooms, sliced
4 oz. of white button mushrooms, sliced
4 oz. of shitake mushrooms, sliced
1 cup of dry red wine
1 28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes, peeled
1/4 cup of parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp of salt
1 pound of spaghetti

Season the flour with a little salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken livers in the flour.

In a large skillet, saute the chicken livers in the olive oil until brown and firm, but not overcooked. Remove the livers from the pan and set aside.

Add the butter to the pan and saute the garlic, onions and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add the wine and reduce to about half.

Puree the tomatoes and add them to the pan.

Slice the chicken livers in half and add them to the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook on low heat for around thirty minutes.

In 6 quarts of boiling salted water cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain and plate the pasta. Cover with the sauce and garnish with parsley. Serve with parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 people.