Cacio e Pepe

Serves 2

Cacio e Pepe is an Italian dish of pasta (spaghetti) with cheese and pepper. It’s a very quick and simple dish that is utterly delicious and real comfort food. 

Each strand of pasta is coated in an emulsion of olive oil, butter, ground black pepper and cheese (pecorino or parmesan). 

By frying the freshly ground black pepper first in the olive oil, you will release the natural oils in the pepper to give a more intense hit of flavour.  

Scale up or down as required.

Ingredients:

150g Spaghetti (gluten-free if required)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper 

25g butter

50g finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (vegetarian if required)

Step 1: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.

Step 2: Meanwhile  heat the oil over a medium heat in a frying pan. Add the pepper and allow to sizzle for a minute or two.  Remove from the heat.

Step 3: Once the pasta is cooked, return the frying pan to a low heat and add a small ladle full of the cooking water to the oil and pepper. Add the butter and melt.  Use tongs to transfer the cooked spaghetti to the frying pan and toss through, along with the parmesan, until each strand of pasta is coated.  Serve.