Alfredo Viazzis Spaghettini Cacio E Pepe Recipes

CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Put a pot of salted water on to boil. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses and black pepper; mash with just enough cold water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste evenly in the bowl.
• Once the water is boiling, add the pasta. The second before it is perfectly cooked (taste it frequently once it begins to soften), use tongs to quickly transfer it to the bowl, reserving a cup or so of the cooking water. Stir vigorously to coat the pasta, adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a bit of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if necessary. The sauce should cling to the pasta and be creamy but not watery.
• Plate and dust each dish with additional pecorino and pepper. Serve immediately.

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.