pecorino Romano Archives

Gluten-free, 100% corn spaghetti with fresh herbs, roasted vegetables and a rich duck egg aioli..

Corn Spaghetti with Duck Egg Aioli

Make a traditional aioli, substituting pastured duck eggs for chicken eggs, and using a bold garlic such as Chesnok red. Add minced fresh opal basil, oregano, frisée (curly endive), a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice and plenty of sea salt and cracked pepper. Set aside.

Boil one quart of filtered water with one teaspoon sea salt for every 4oz of corn spaghetti. Swirl the water, add the pasta and cook al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain, but do not rinse. Keep warm.

Broil 3/4 inch-thick slices of heirloom tomato seasoned with sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper until brilliant red and blistered. Hold in warm oven.

Meanwhile, quickly sauté onions and Italian roasting peppers in a bit of oil over high heat until just softened.

Toss the pasta with the sautéed vegetables, then stir in the aioli.

To serve, arrange pasta in the middle of a large plate and use a spatula to place the broiled tomato on top. Shave a little Pecorino over all and garnish with additional minced herbs.

: Corn Pasta with Egg Sauce

Fresh pan-roasted asparagus wrapped in balsamic grilled peppers and capicola, with basil leaves, pecorino Romano and black olives..

Wash and trim fresh asparagus, then steam until barely tender, about 4 minutes. Immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process and retain color and nutrients. Pat dry.

Lay out thin slices of capicola on a flat surface and place olive oil and balsamic marinated grilled peppers on top. Add whole basil leaves and asparagus and roll up jellyroll fashion. Secure with toothpicks.

Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat with just enough olive oil to prevent sticking. Pan-roast until the edges of the meat begin to crisp and the asparagus starts to brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to a plate and dress with pecorino Romano, black olives and freshly ground pepper.