It has been a while since we've blogged. We've had our hands full with the newest addition to our family: an adorable little guy who ironically hates all food except milk... Yeah, we're working on it. But anyways, we still love food, and now that he's older we're happy to have a little more free time back for cooking and blogging. The first new recipe we dusted off the aprons for: Chrissy Teigen's Lemony Arugula Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe.
There are a few reasons it's fitting that we chose this recipe to get back in the kitchen. First, we've been on a quest to find the perfect plate of cacio e pepe ever since one of our epic honeymoon meals in Rome. Second, Mel really loved trying recipes from Teigen's blog, Delushious (including this awesome scallop dish). So the minute Chrissy's cookbook, Cravings, was published Mel snatched it up and read it cover-to-cover. (Yes, it's such a fun cookbook you actually want to read it from start to finish. Teigen is queen of funny, short paragraphs that make every dish sound like the best time ever.) Third, Teigen and John Legend had their little girl not long after we had our son, so we're all pretty much meant to be besties at some point in life. We'll have our people call their people. ;)
Making cacio e pepe always seemed intimidating, but it's actually not super complicated. In fact, dare we say it's very simple: pasta, a ton of pepper, a ton of cheese, and voila. Teigen's version calls for pancetta or bacon (we used pancetta), which makes the entire kitchen smell AMAZING as it sizzles. The flavor from that adds a phenomenal kick that helps balance out the pepper and lemon. The addition of arugula helps you feel like you at least tried to include something healthy in the meal, and also helps to counter the saltiness of the cheese. Overall, an awesome splurge meal when you're in the mood for zesty, cheesy pasta!
One heads up: the level of flavor is intense. At the start of Cravings, Teigen warns that she loves spice so one may want to dial back the amounts she recommends putting in each dish. Next time we make this, we may put a little less pepper and a little more arugula because the pancetta and lemon pack a punch that definitely needs to be balanced out. But we are so glad we found this recipe and can't wait to try more of the comfort foods featured in her book. Stay tuned!
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