Espresso pasta contributes a mild coffee flavor in this Bellina Alimentari recipe

I can't stop thinking about the espresso pasta I enjoyed at Bellina Alimentari. It takes a minute to realize there's espresso in the pasta because the coffee flavor is not overwhelming at all, but we loved how it underscored the richness of the mushrooms in the sauce. I'd love to try making this at home. — Sandra Katz, Decatur

Executive chef Brandon Hughes created this pasta as a tie-in to the "Passione Italiana: The Art of Espresso" exhibit now on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta. The exhibit runs through June 9. He paired the pasta with a creamy mushroom and kale sauce. "The earthiness of the sauce really compliments the pasta's subtle coffee flavor. Since the exhibit highlights the art of Italian coffee, we thought this dish was a great representation of how to use espresso in a creative and unique way."

In his instructions for the pasta, Hughes notes that long kneading is important as you are mixing the dough. “It develops the gluten in the flour and prevents the dough from tearing apart later on. Dust your work surface with flour as you are kneading to keep the dough from becoming sticky.”