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Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Caccio e Pepe

I had a friend I college who ate nothing but spaghetti tossed in butter every night. My daughter loves this pasta. It was her go-to dish in Rome and any other restaurant where it was served. Translated the name says it all “Cheese and pepper.” It is a perfect example of how authentic Italian cooking is uncomplicated and makes use of minimal ingredients— in this case: four. I like it at home for a quick easy supper as all of these ingredients are always in my kitchen.

Ingredients

1 lb. Dry bucatini pasta
1 gallon Water
¼ cup Kosher salt
¾ lb. Unsalted butter, cut into cubes, at room temperature
2 Tbl Reserved pasta water
1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
2 Tbl Fresh ground black pepper

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a large stock pot. While you are waiting for the water to boil, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add the dry pasta to the boiling water and stir frequently until pasta is tender but not mushy. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, strain and immediately transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once pasta has cooled, remove from ice bath and reserve. When you are ready to make the pasta dish, bring another gallon of salted water to a simmer and add the chilled pasta just long enough to reheat it, about 3 minutes, and strain.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, cheese, black pepper, reserved pasta water and hot bucatini pasta. Combine thoroughly until butter is completely melted.

Divide among 6-8 serving bowls.

Instructions

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a large stock pot. While you are waiting for the water to boil, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add the dry pasta to the boiling water and stir frequently until pasta is tender but not mushy. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, strain and immediately transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once pasta has cooled, remove from ice bath and reserve. When you are ready to make the pasta dish, bring another gallon of salted water to a simmer and add the chilled pasta just long enough to reheat it, about 3 minutes, and strain.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, cheese, black pepper, reserved pasta water and hot bucatini pasta. Combine thoroughly until butter is completely melted.

Divide among 6-8 serving bowls.

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