Pasta with Brussels Sprouts and Mushrooms

I discovered my love for brussels sprouts last winter.  I was watching Good Eats (really miss that since we ditched cable) and the episode was all about them.  They looked so good, but I think John thought I'd lost my mind when I said I wanted to try them.  I ignored that, bought a pound at Whole Foods, and roasted them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Oh, my.  I think I ate 3/4 of a pound myself.  From that point on, I became obsessed.  Don't laugh, they're that good!  Every time I make them I have to apologize to John for eating more than my fair share.

This weekend, I was going through all my cooking magazines and tearing out recipes so I could get more organized and I found this pasta recipe. 

Ingredients (adapted from Everyday Food magazine):

• 1 box whole wheat penne
• Olive oil
• 10 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and shredded (I wish I had a mandoline for this, but I don't.  I just split them in half and thinly sliced them)
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

To make:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, reserving about 1 c. cooking liquid
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet (I am terrible about measuring oil, it was maybe 1-2 tbsp.)
• Add mushrooms and cook until browned, remove from skillet
• Add a bit more oil and saute garlic and shallots until fragrant
• Add shredded brussels sprouts, salt, and pepper, and saute until sprouts are tender and bright green (maybe 5 minutes)
• Stir mushrooms and lemon zest in with brussels sprouts
• Add mix to pasta, stirring in enough reserved pasta liquid to make a sauce coating the pasta
• Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste

It's quick, easy, flavorful, and filling.  I'll probably add more garlic next time but we eat enough garlic to kill 100 vampires here.  A pinch of red pepper flakes might be nice to spice it up.  Maybe a bit of grated parmesan cheese, if you want. If you want to up the protein (although the whole wheat pasta has a good amount), cannelini beans, pancetta, or ham would be good.  You could really do a lot with this!