Isolation Eats Craig Hardings Cacio E Pepe Fritters Food

CLASSIC CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring 2 1/2 quarts water (about 10 cups) to a boil in a large deep skillet. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta and cook until just al dente (1 to 2 minutes less than the label directs).
• Meanwhile, put the peppercorns in a small resealable plastic bag and coarsely crush with the flat side of a meat mallet or the bottom of a skillet. Place the crushed peppercorns in a fine-mesh sieve and discard any dust that falls through. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed peppercorns and cook until sizzling, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a large bowl.
• Using tongs, remove the pasta from the boiling water and transfer to the bowl with the peppercorn oil along with 2 tablespoons of the cooking water. (Reserve the remaining cooking water in the skillet.) Toss the pasta until coated. Let cool slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. (If the pasta is too hot, the cheese will clump and not melt.)
• Add the cheese to the bowl with the pasta in three batches, tossing well and adding a few tablespoons of the reserved cooking water with each addition; make sure most of the cheese is melted before adding more. Continue adding the cooking water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the pasta is coated in a thick creamy sauce.

CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt lightly. Add the pasta and cook until not quite al dente and still quite chewy, 5 to 6 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water, then drain.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When melted, add the garlic and 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water and bring to a simmer. Grind in a generous amount of pepper. Add the pasta and remaining 3 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the pasta start to simmer. Begin adding the Parmesan a handful at a time, tossing the pasta with each addition and adding more pepper if desired. Remove from the heat and continue to toss the pasta until well coated, thinning with the extra pasta water if needed. Taste and add more pepper if desired. Divide among bowls and garnish with the parsley. Serve with more Parmesan on the side.

ISOLATION EATS: CRAIG HARDING'S CACIO E PEPE FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a small sauce pan melt the butter in the milk and water and slowly add the flour until a dough forms. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes until it dries and pulls away from the sides of the pot.Cool for 3 minutes. Pull out your trusty stand mixer and whip with the paddle attachment, adding 1 egg at a time until incorporated.Add the cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg.In a small sauce pot, heat 1L of vegetable oil to 375 F.Using two spoons, gently drop the dough into the heated oil and fry until golden brown. Finish with extra pecorino and fresh black pepper. Alternatively you can transfer dough to a piping bag and pipe small tablespoon size portions 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 F for approximately 20 minutes and finish the same way. The baked version will freeze quite well, so why not try both cooking methods?

CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta for 2 mins less than pack instructions state, in salted boiling water. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium frying pan over a low heat, then add the ground black pepper and toast for a few minutes.
• Drain the pasta, keeping 200ml of the pasta water. Tip the pasta and 100ml of the pasta water into the pan with the butter and pepper. Toss briefly, then scatter over the parmesan evenly, but don't stir - wait for the cheese to melt for 30 seconds, then once melted, toss everything well, and stir together. This prevents the cheese from clumping or going stringy and makes a smooth, shiny sauce. Add a splash more pasta water if you need to, to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta. Serve immediately with a good grating of black pepper.

CACIO E PEPE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons pepper in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until just starting to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Put the spaghetti in a medium bowl and pour the olive oil mixture over the top. Mix to combine and set aside.
• Combine the flour, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, the baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg yolks. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk mixture. Whisk until the batter is well combined (there will still be some small lumps).
• Add the spaghetti, pecorino and mozzarella to the batter. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Fill a large skillet with about 1/2 inch olive oil and heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F. Working in batches, scoop the spaghetti mixture into the skillet (about 2 tablespoons per fritter); flatten slightly with a metal spatula. Fry the fritters, flipping once, until golden brown and warmed through, about 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you fry the remaining fritters. Top with more pecorino before serving.

CACIO E PEPE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once the water starts to boil, add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti through a colander.
• Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
• Add the spaghetti to the butter and use tongs to toss to coat. Add the Parmesan and 1 tablespoon of reserved pasta water and quickly toss to combine, adding more pasta water until the sauce becomes just creamy and clings to the noodles, about 1 minute.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Serve topped with more freshly ground black pepper and flaky sea salt.
• Enjoy!