Alfredo Viazzis Spaghettini Cacio E Pepe Recipes

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CACIO E PEPE RECIPE - RECIPES FROM ITALY

Steps:

• Grate the Pecorino Romano. When ready, set aside in a bowl. Then grind the black peppercorns. Toast the ground pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally and check to make sure it doesn't burn. It will take 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Boil the water with very little coarse salt (maximum 1/2 tablespoon) to cook the pasta. Respect the quantity of water indicated in the ingredients. When the water boils, put in the spaghetti. Let the pasta cook for about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile add 2 ladles of pasta cooking water to the toasted black pepper and turn the heat under the skillet to low. After the first 5 minutes of cooking, now is the time to transfer the pasta from the pot to the skillet. The spaghetti should FINISH COOKING IN THE SKILLET with the pepper.
• While the pasta is cooking, make the Pecorino cream. Pour a ladleful of the starchy cooking water over the grated pecorino cheese and stir quickly. You'll get a creamy consistency similar to ricotta.
• Once the spaghetti are cooked, turn off the heat, wait about half a minute and then add the pecorino cream a little at a time. Stir in the spaghetti evenly. Spaghetti cacio e pepe recipe is ready!

ALFREDO VIAZZI'S SPAGHETTINI CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Using the largest holes of a grater, grate the cheese. (This may also be done with a Cuisinart, using a rapid on-off motion, but be careful not to puree or process the cheese.) The grated cheese should be pelletlike in consistency. Set aside.
• Using a rolling pin and a wooden chopping board, crack the peppercorns as you would in making steak au poivre. Set aside.
• Bring 6 quarts of water to a rapid rolling boil. While waiting for the water to boil, wash and dry the basil leaves and cut into thin ribbons. Set aside.
• When the water comes to a boil, add salt and, if you are using whole- wheat pasta, a tablespoon of cooking oil to prevent it from sticking. Add pasta to rapidly boiling water and stir with a long-handled wooden spoon or fork to separate the pasta and bring the water rapidly back to a boil. Leave to cook at a rapid boil for 5 to 7 minutes, adjusting cooking time according to the type of pasta you are using.
• While pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan and set aside.
• Have ready a warm serving bowl and when the pasta is done, drain quickly and turn into the bowl. Add the melted butter and toss thoroughly. Add the grated cheese and toss with the pasta. Finally add the cracked pepper and mix again. Serve immediately on warm plates and sprinkle each serving with the ribbons of basil.

CACIO E PEPE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray an 8" springform pan with nonstick spray. Wrap bottom tightly in foil to prevent any leaks and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Mix Fontina, half-and-half, 4 oz. Parmesan, 1 Tbsp. pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl that can rest on rim of pasta pot without falling in.
• Fill pasta pot with 5 quarts water and add remaining 1/2 cup salt. Bring to a boil and cook pasta 4 minutes shy of package directions. Drain.
• While pasta is cooking, place bowl with cheese mixture over pot and whisk constantly until cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in ricotta, then eggs and 2 Tbsp. oil. Add drained pasta to bowl and toss to coat.
• Transfer pasta to prepared pan, pressing down to compact lightly. Pour any leftover cheese mixture evenly over. Using tongs or a fork, pull up a few strands of pasta so they form loops just above surface of pie (these will get browned and give texture to the top).
• Bake pasta until cheese is bubbling and pie is golden brown on edges and sides, 35-45 minutes. Let cool 10-15 minutes before removing sides of pan. Slide a thin spatula underneath and around pie to help release it from pan, then transfer to a platter or cutting board. Top with Parmesan, a drizzle of oil, and a few cranks of pepper. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

SPAGHETTI CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Scoop out some of the cooking water and reserve. Drain spaghetti.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add spaghetti and Pecorino Romano cheese. Ladle in 1/2 cup of reserved cooking water; stir until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Add more cooking water until sauce coats spaghetti, about 1 minute more.