Geoffrey Zakarian Homemade Pasta Recipes

CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• In a pan just wide enough to hold the pasta, place enough water to fill the pan 1 inch from the bottom. Season the water with a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Spread the pasta in the pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Allow the pasta water to reduce; do not add more, as you want the starchy water to be minimal when the remaining ingredients are added.
• Meanwhile, add the coarse black pepper to a separate small pan over medium heat. Toast a minute or two until fragrant.
• Once the pasta is al dente and the pasta water has reduced so only a slight coating remains at the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat and add the toasted ground black pepper and Pecorino-Romano. Stir and toss vigorously until both ingredients are well incorporated into the pasta. Toss in the olive oil and season with salt.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and garnish with more black pepper, Pecorino-Romano and extra-virgin olive oil.

BUCATINI CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a high-sided pan filled with water to a boil. Season liberally with salt. Place the bucatini in the water.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan, then add the pancetta. Cook until the pancetta has rendered and the meat is caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and about 1 tablespoon black pepper to the pan to toast, about 1 minute. Add a ladle of pasta water to stop the cooking process and let simmer on low heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs and egg yolk in a bowl. Add the Parmesan and Pecorino-Romano and whisk to combine. Slowly add a ladle of the pasta water to temper the eggs. Set aside. When the pasta is al dente, add the pasta to the pancetta pan straight from the water. Remove from the heat and add freshly cracked pepper to taste. Add the egg mixture and toss gently to coat. If the sauce gets too thick, add some additional pasta water. Garnish with a generous sprinkling of Pecorino-Romano and a drizzle of olive oil.

PANTRY PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the bacon and cook until it just starts to get a little crispy, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper, garlic and shallot and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the beans and artichokes to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook the orecchiette in the boiling water for the amount of time specified on the box, minus 2 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• Add the pasta to the pan with the artichokes and beans and toss over medium heat. Add the pasta water and continue to cook until the pasta achieves an al dente texture and the sauce is coating the pasta. Remove from the heat and add half of the Parmesan. Mix in the butter and half of the parsley. Season with more salt and pepper. Transfer to large serving bowl and garnish with the remaining Parmesan, parsley and 2 tablespoons olive oil.

FRESH FETTUCCINE WITH SPICY CRAB AND SPRING ONION

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt.
• Heat the olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic and spring onions in a large saute pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the white wine and allow it to reduce, about 1 minute. Add the cream, then let come to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook to al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Fresno to the sauce and simmer for another minute. Turn off the heat, then stir the crab and lemon juice into the sauce. Strain the pasta directly into the sauce and gently stir to marry the sauce with the pasta. (Save a little pasta water just in case, to thin the sauce if needed.)
• Add the butter, dill, parsley, tarragon and salt to taste; the sauce should begin to glaze the pasta. Once thickened, remove the pan from the heat and season with salt and pepper. If the pasta is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Sprinkle with Parmesan and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
• Combine the flour and salt in a bowl and mix. Place the flour in a mound on a clean work surface. Make a well in the center of the flour. Crack the eggs into the well. Using a fork, whisk the eggs and add the oil. Slowly and carefully mix the flour into the eggs with the fork, making sure not to break through the walls of the flour mound. Once the eggs are incorporated into the flour and a dough starts to form, you can use your hands to incorporate the remaining flour and knead it into a dough. Once the dough is formed, knead for about 5 minutes. (You can also make the dough in a stand mixer.)
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour.
• On a floured work surface, roll the dough with a rolling pin into a rectangle that is about 1/8-inch thick. Lightly flour the top, then gently roll up the dough into a log. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Unravel and lay out the fettucine on a lightly floured sheet pan. (You can also run the dough through a pasta machine per the manufacturer's instructions.)

CAESAR PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, gently toss the bread cubes with the oil, salt and pepper. Spread the cubes in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake until golden, turning once about halfway through, 12 to 15 minutes total. Toss with the Parmesan while still hot and set aside to let cool.
• For the caesar dressing: In a blender, combine the garlic, capers, anchovies, mustard, Parmesan, vinegar and Worcestershire and blend until smooth. Add the olive oil and blend to emulsify the dressing. Season with salt as needed.
• For the salad: Heat a grill over medium-high heat. Drizzle the romaine heart halves with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred and softened, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
• In a medium bowl, toss the pasta with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste. Add the romaine and dressing to taste and toss to coat.
• In a large bowl, toss the Bibb lettuce with the lemon juice, remaining tablespoon oil, salt and pepper to taste and the basil. Add the croutons and gently combine. Add the pasta and romaine salad and Parmesan to the Bibb salad and gently toss together. Garnish with more cheese and serve.