Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

This recipe was destined to be written! The sun, the moon, and the stars truly aligned! I was fortunate to receive Seeductive Foods plant-based cheese samples, and I knew when I saw the Truffle Peppercorn cheese it was meant for a pasta dish! I found an artisan porcini tagliatelle pasta at our local farmer’s market a few days later. Once I had the pasta, I made my way over to my friend JT, grabbed some lion’s mane mushrooms, and the rest, they say it’s history!

The first thing to note about this recipe is how simple it is. The other is the importance of pressing the mushrooms! I tried making a marinade for the mushrooms, but it made them soggy because Lion’s Mane has a very high water content. So I decided to try a dry rub using my Montreal steak seasoning, which was perfection! Pressing the mushrooms helps remove the water and gives them a nice dense “steak-like” texture. 

Lion’s Mane

If you’re unfamiliar, a lion’s mane is a large, white mushroom that, as it grows, has a shaggy appearance resembling a lion’s mane. Aside from being super steamy delicious, studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane helps increase Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)levels, protecting us against degenerative brain diseases contributing to memory loss.

Lions mane also has immune-boosting benefits. When harmful pathogens enter the body through the mouth or nose as we breathe in, Lion’s mane can bolster our defenses by helping to stimulate gut bacteria to trigger the immune system!

I discovered the wondrous Lion’s Mane from vegan chef Derek Sarno, and this is a take on his recipe.  You can use any pasta or plant-based cream-style cheese, but this recipe is about the mighty lion!  

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Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 30
  • Yield: 3 steaks 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz flat pasta (tagliatelle, fettucine, pappardelle)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  •  ¾ cup plant-based heavy cream
  • 1 oz. package of cream-style cheese 
  •  kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 34 medium Lion’s Mane mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning 

Instructions

Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Keep about a cup of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce later.
  3. Warm a large saucepan over medium heat. When the pan is warm, add olive oil.  When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and cook for a minute or two until fragrant, but not brown.
  4. Add heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer, about 5-7 minutes, until nice and thick. The spoon should leave a line/trail as you run it through the sauce.
  5. Turn the heat to low and add cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
  6. Taste the sauce and add salt or fresh black pepper as needed.
  7. Add drained pasta and toss to combine.
  8. Top with fresh parsley.

 

Lion’s Mane Steaks:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF/200ºC
  2. Mix all dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. Lightly wipe mushrooms with a wet paper towel to remove dirt or residue.  *Do not wash or submerge.
  4. Heat cast iron pan on medium-high heat.  When the pan is heated, add oil.  When the oil begins to shimmer, place the mushrooms stem side down in the pan for 90 seconds to let them soften. 
  5. Place a steak weight or smaller cast iron pan on the mushrooms. 
  6. Using a potholder or folded kitchen towel, gently press the weight down on the mushrooms.  As the mushrooms release water, press harder on the pan or weight.  Cook for approximately 5 minutes. 
  7. Carefully remove the pan or weight and wipe the water from the bottom. Flip Lion’s Mane using tongs, add more oil and cook the other side for 5 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle dry rub over Lion’s Mane, searing each side.
  9. Place the cast iron pan in the oven for 12 minutes when the Lion’s Mane is browned. Remove, let it rest for a few minutes.
  10. Slice and place over pasta.
  11. Enjoy!

​​

 

Pasta alla Vodka

Pasta alla Vodka

It is said that Pasta Alla Vodka originated at Orsini Restaurant in New York, where it is believed that Chef Luigi Franzese invented the dish in the 1970s. Although there are often conflicting claims to the invention and history of the dish, one author claims that it was invented at Dante, a restaurant in Bologna, Italy.

Most recipes that call for alcohol—wine, beer, or a spirit—do so because of the respective flavor that gets added. Not so for vodka. Vodka sauce is a pink sauce with a splash of booze that exists somewhere between a tomato sauce and an Alfredo sauce. Denser milk products (such as cream) can separate, especially when an acid (like tomatoes) is introduced.

Vodka acts as an emulsifier, bonding water and fat together until they exist in smooth harmony preventing the cream from separating. This is the same principle at work when you add dijon mustard to a vinaigrette to keep your oil from separating from your vinegar. And because vodka is an excellent solvent (alcohol is the catalyst in bitters, tinctures, elixirs, and many herbal cure-alls), it extracts flavors and aromas from herbs and spices where water alone can’t.

“Vodka adds depth to a sauce both by pulling out the additional flavor and concentrating others without adding a flavor of its own,” says Bart Saracino, co-owner of Bartolino’s Restaurants in St. Louis.

So should you use a cheap or expensive vodka? Don’t skimp because you’ll likely be the one to drink the rest of the bottle.  I drove to Defiance, Missouri, to grab a bottle of Judgment Tree Vodka from my sweet friend Chris Lorch.  Chris is the co-founder of the Distillery of Defiance and the head winemaker for Sugar Creek Winery.  I have known Chris since college and am lucky to run into him every once in a while!  His place in Defiance is warm and inviting.  And his vodka, made from grapes, has a refined smoothness and distinct but subtle nuances and complexities.

Judgment Tree is a historical reference in these parts and is an homage to the great explorer and pioneer Daniel Boone.  When Boone moved to Missouri, he settled in the township of Defiance near the Missouri River and the Femme Osage District. In June of 1800, Daniel was appointed to the position of Spanish Commandant of the Femme Osage District. At that time, his district was a region running indefinitely west and north along the north side of the Missouri River.

In this role, Boone acted as the district’s civil administrator and military commander, as well as having the dual role of Spanish Syndic (Judge) of civil disputes. In his role, he held court under the large elm “Boone Judgment Tree.” (1)

As always, tag me if you make it, and let me know what you think!  And if you’re from St. Louis or ever in town visiting, be sure to head out to Defiance, stop by the Judgment Tree memorial, and stop in and see Chris. Tell him Stephanie sent you!

 

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Pasta alla Vodka

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1 4.5-oz. tube or ½ cup double-concentrated or regular tomato paste
  • Healthy pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup quality vodka
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 can whole crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • Coarse kosher salt (Morton’s or Diamond) and pepper
  • 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate or rigatoni
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (I use Silk brand plant-based whipping cream)
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves (torn or shredded)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (I used Violife)

Instructions

  1. Fill a stock pot or other large pot three-quarters full with water and heat over high. Toss in a handful of salt and bring the water to a boil. Add pasta. Cook pasta al dente. This usually is about 2 minutes before full cooking time.  When the pasta is done, do NOT drain the pasta water.
  2. Firmly smash 4 garlic cloves with the flat side of a chef’s knife and remove the peel. Carefully slice into thin slices.
  3. Peel and dice onion.
  4. Grate 4 oz of vegan parmesan (I used Violife Parmesan)
  5. Heat butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until onion starts to brown around the edges, for 5–7 minutes.
  6. Add the entire 4.5-oz. tube of tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Stir until paste evenly coats onion. Continue to cook.  Stirring often until the paste is deep red and starting to brown on the bottom of the pot, 5–7 minutes.
  7.  Add vodka and balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, scrape the bottom well, and stir.  Add tomatoes and cook for about 10 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of the pasta water. Stir well.
  9. Transfer tomato mixture to a food processor or blender, and add basil and purée until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan.
  10. Add 1/4 cup of warm pasta water to your cream to keep it from breaking apart.  Add warmed cream to the vodka sauce.
  11. Cook until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese and then use a spider or a slotted spoon to remove pasta from the water and add to the sauce.
  12. Toss to combine.
  13. Serve immediately with an additional sprinkle of cheese and basil, if desired.
  14. Enjoy!

Tofu Ricotta

Tofu Ricotta

Before all of the wonderful plant-based products on the shelf these days, if I wanted ricotta cheese, I had to make it myself. It was one of the recipes that I learned how to make in culinary school.

Lately, the cost of my favorite ricotta has gone from reasonable to ridiculous.  I just cannot pay nearly $10.00 for an 8 oz container of ricotta when I can easily make it for half the price.  If you don’t have a food processor, do not fret!  You can easily make it the old-fashioned way in a bowl and mash the tofu with a fork.

I love it as a spread on toast with fresh or roasted veggies!  It’s terrific for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!  Frankly, the possibilities are endless!

This tofu ricotta is easy to assemble and tastes much like milk-based ricotta!  You can also add fresh herbs like basil or oregano.  Add 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin and some fresh nutmeg, and make my stuffed shells!

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Tofu Ricotta

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8 1x

Description

Used as a spread or a dip, this is wonderful in pasta or on toast!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block of extra firm tofu (12 oz), finely crumbled (no need to press)
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil; olive or grapeseed oil
  • 2 1/2 tbsp shallot, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Drain tofu. I didn’t press mine but did hand squeeze a lot of the water out.
  2. Add the crumbled tofu, tahini, nutritional yeast, and shallot to a food processor.
  3. Pulse it in the food processor. Don’t let the food processor run. You don’t want this to turn into a paste. Just pulse it a few times until your ricotta is chunky.
  4. Remove tofu from the processor and add to a bowl.
  5. Add the garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  6. Slowly drizzle oil, and mix well.
  7. Stir and add sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  8. Enjoy!

Notes

This freezes super well! The texture may even get better after freezing and thawing. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy as usual.

 

 

St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

Sometimes recipes write themselves. And if recipes were writers, this, my friend, is a Nobel laureate! Well…maybe it isn’t serving the greatest benefit to all of humankind, but it’s definitely a tasty benefit to your taste buds! And it might be something new for you. I love toasted ravioli. It was one of my guilty pleasures, especially on a football Sunday, it was also created here in my hometown, or so the story goes.

A little taste of midwestern Americana, most accounts of toasted ravioli trace its origins to The Hill, a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood in South St. Louis. Supposedly, a guy named Chef Fritz accidentally dropped a ravioli into the fryer at the legendary Mama Campisi’s. “Mickey Garagiola, older brother of Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Joe Garagiola, was actually at the bar during the mishap and was the first to witness and taste the accidental treat. Other people have tried to take credit, but being a passionate Cardinal fan, I’m going with the Garagiola’s on this one! 

Traditionally toasted rav’s are served with a tomato meat sauce for dipping. And if you’ve never had them, I highly recommend eating them that way at some point. However, we will lightly pan fry them for this recipe and drop them right into a decadent creamy, cheesy fondue and finish them in the oven.

The fondue is also a treat to be savored! An apres-ski pleasure in the Alps, Swiss fondue is essentially a mixture of cheese, wine, and flour. You can use it as a sauce over pasta, a dip for veggies, and of course, as a base for these yummy ravioli. So whether you’re congregating after a day on the mountain with friends or just looking for a rich, velvety cheese sauce that cannot be matched, this recipe is for you. Oh, and don’t forget to top it with your favorite vegan parmesan!

XO,

Steph

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St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 dozen 1x

Description

So yummy and easy to make, these toasted ravioli can be served with a simple marinara, or dressed up and served in a creamy cheesy fondue!  Make sure you use an oil with a high smoke point (over 400°F.) meant for frying.


Ingredients

Scale

Ravioli:

  • 1 (12 oz) pack of Nasoya Vegan Won Ton Wraps *see note
  • 1 package of vegan plant-based Italian sausage (I only use Hungry Planet) **see note
  • 1 package of vegan mozzarella, crumbled into 1″ pieces (I like Miyoko’s)  ***see note
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup plant-based milk
  • 2 tablespoons of egg replacer (I like Just Egg, but you can also use aquafaba)
  • 3 cups frying oil (I use safflower oil–510°F, or peanut oil–450°F)

Fondue:

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (for non-alcohol, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar to 1/4 cup water)
  • 1 clove garlic, whole peeled
  • 3 cups vegan white cheese I used Violife feta, Daiya Farmhouse (block) Jalapeno, and Miyoko’s mozzarella (vegan parm and nutritional yeast would work well too)
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoons Kirsch (or cherry juice)
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (if using vinegar in place of wine, skip the lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil, 2 teaspoons if using fresh
  • Dash of paprika
  • Dash of garlic powder
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • Dash of white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch

Instructions

I like to make the fondue first. You can assemble the ravioli in advance, but if not eating them the day of, put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer.

Fondue:

  1. Rub the inside of an enameled cast-iron casserole with the garlic clove; discard the garlic.
  2. Combine the grated cheeses with the wine and tapioca starch.
  3. Add lemon juice, basil, paprika, and garlic powder to the pot and cook over moderate heat, occasionally stirring until the cheeses melt about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the kirsch, vegetable stock, and a generous pinch each of pepper and nutmeg and cook, stirring gently, until creamy and smooth, about 10 minutes; don’t overcook the fondue, or it will get stringy. Remove from heat.
  5. Turn on the oven. Set to broil.

Ravioli:

  1. Warm a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 1/4 water. Saute onions until they soften and become translucent (about 8 minutes).
  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  3. Add sausage, oregano, and salt/pepper. Saute until the sausage begins to brown if ingredients start to stick at 1-2 tablespoons of water.
  4. Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted.
  5. Remove from heat and set mixture aside.

Assemble:

TOOLS–(Pastry brush, a small bowl of water. A ravioli cutter is helpful but optional)

  1. To assemble ravioli, lay half the won ton wrappers on a flat dry surface. (Make sure you only have one).
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of filling to the middle of each won ton wrap.
  3. Dip a pastry brush into water and lightly brush the perimeter of the won ton wrapper.
  4. Using the other half of the wraps, brush one side of the wrap with a small amount of water and lay the wet side down directly on top of the meat-filled wrap. Repeat until all 24 are sealed. I like to start at the top and work my way around sealing the edges with my fingers. You can apply slight pressure to the middle and press down around the filling. Take a little water and smooth it down with your finger if it tears. Make sure they are sealed well. If using a ravioli cutter, press down until ravioli is cut and well sealed. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Combine milk and egg sub in a small bowl. Place breadcrumbs in a pie pan or shallow bottomed bowl. Dip ravioli in milk mixture and coat with breadcrumbs.
  6. In a large, heavy pan, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until a small amount of breading sizzles and turns brown. Fry ravioli a few at a time, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Baking:

  1. To a medium casserole dish, add fondue and place ravioli on top. Spoon fondue sauce onto ravioli to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add 1/4 cup of water or vegetable stock to thin.
  2. Place in oven and bake until fondue is bubbly and slightly browned. About 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese and basil!
  4. To serve, place ravioli on a plate and drizzle with fondue. Top with parsley and additional parmesan.
  5. Serve immediately.
  6. Enjoy!

Notes

*One pack of won ton wrappers makes 24 ravioli.

**I’ve tried a half dozen or so plant-based sausages, and nothing compares to the flavor and texture of Hungry Planet.  It also has a whopping 17g of protein and zero fat!

***I like whole block vegan cheeses.  I’m not too fond of shredded cheeses because of the taste.  The anti-caking ingredients give it a strange flavor.

Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

I love pasta, pretty much all pasta. As a matter of fact, I never met a pasta I didn’t like. Though there are some (like a few people I know) that I like better than others. This pasta is one of those that I like best of all. The creamy, spicy red pepper sauce mixed with savory Italian sausage (thank you, Hungry Planet) and served over freshly made rigatoni noodles makes my cuore felice! Did I say that correctly?

Anyway, this simple recipe comes together quickly, and if you’re anything like me, this will make your heart happy too! I love the Hungry Planet Italian sausage here. The texture and flavor shine in this recipe, and with zero grams of saturated fat (Impossible Sausage has 4g of saturated fat), you cannot go wrong. You just have to make sure you don’t eat all the sausage while you’re waiting on your pasta to boil!

 

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Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 40
  • Yield: 6 large servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

The ultimate winter comfort food!  It’s a little spicy and very flavorful!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (16 oz) package of vegan rigatoni pasta
  • 1 (12 oz) package Hungry Planet Italian Sausage, or another plant-based alternative
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (arrowroot powder works well, too)
  • 4 tablespoons vegan butter (separated in half)
  • 12 pieces of bread torn into small bite-sized pieces
  • 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Silk half and half
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup water mixed)
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sage
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup vegan parmesan, grated or shredded
  • fresh parsley, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)

 


Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and spray a 12″ round or oval baking dish with non-stick spray. I used my largest oval French Corningware with a glass lid.

Spice mix:

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tsp garlic powder with 1 1/2 teaspoons: oregano, sage, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Bread Crumbs:

Add breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter, and half of the spice mixture to a bowl. Toss well to coat. Toast in oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.

Pasta:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta according to the instructions on the package (each pasta varies). Reserve one cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain well, and do not rinse.** Add cooked pasta to a large bowl.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, add the sausage to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until browned. Carefully remove sausage from skillet and set aside. In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tbsp’s butter, a pinch of salt and pepper, and the remaining teaspoon of garlic powder and cook until the butter is melted and bubbling. Add onions and red peppers. Stir frequently until onions become translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add minced garlic, and saute until fragrant @ 30 seconds. Add red wine and use a spatula to stir well and deglaze any fond* from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until liquid evaporates, 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and carefully the ingredients to a blender, or use an immersion blender, add cornstarch, and puree until smooth—return sauce to the pan.
  4. Over medium heat, stir in half-and-half. Add 1/2 cup parmesan, cooked sausage, and remaining spices to the sauce. Stir frequently and cook until sausage has warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper, and additional spices if needed.
  5. Add pasta to skillet and stir well to coat. Add 1/2 cup pasta water, and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Add remaining cheese, and top with buttered herbed breadcrumbs.
  6. Bake covered for 25 minutes, or until bread crumbs are lightly golden.
  7. Serve garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and additional parmesan. Enjoy!

Notes

*Fond, is quite simply, is the stuff that sticks to your pan after browning meat or vegetables on the stovetop, or at the bottom of a roasting pan after it has come out of the oven.  Good stuff, just don’t burn it. If you do it’s no good and can ruin your dish.

**You want some starch on the outside of the pasta, as it helps the sauce adhere.

Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen

Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen

Cacio E Pepe translates into cheese and pepper, my two girls’ favorite pasta on earth. It’s like fancy mac-n-cheese. The pure simplicity of this recipe makes it almost sinful to change, so I didn’t change much. I added red pepper flakes instead of the traditional black pepper and used vegan cheeses. I liked the addition of the roasted tomatoes a lot. They are like little cherry bombs that explode in your mouth!

The kicker for me was the fennel pollen. I have recently discovered this culinary rock star and plan to use it wisely since it is a little expensive, but the good news is that it goes a long way.

The key to this simple pasta is using just enough pasta water to cook the pasta noodles. Too much water and you will lose all of your starch; not enough water and you will have to add a little hot water to make the sauce.

When the pasta is al dente, you will drain and save the pasta water, ensuring you have about 2 1/2 cups. This water is what we will use to make the sauce. Add a little butter to the pan, add your pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the pasta water to the butter/pepper mix and the pasta and cheese. Stir until the cheese, add pasta to the pan, and Boom! Dinner is served!

I used bucatini because I love its thickness, but you can use any pasta you want.

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Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen


  • Author:
    Stephanie Bosch


Description

This super simple pasta gets a little zing with some fennel pollen!  If you’ve never had it you will love it.  Be warned it’s kind of expensive, but a little goes a long way! 


Ingredients


Scale

  • 14 oz. pasta such as bucatini or spaghetti (*see note)
  • 10 oz. pack sangria tomatoes (or, any 10 oz pack of cherry/grape tomatoes)
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted vegan butter, cubed, divided
  • 1 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
  • ¾ cup finely grated vegan Parmesan
  •  cup vegan Romano
  • Fennel Pollen (fennel seeds, anise seeds, or dill seeds work, too)


Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 425° F and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.  
  2. Lightly spray tomatoes with avocado oil or other spray oil and dust with fennel pollen and black pepper.
  3. Roast tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft and fragrant. 
  4. Meanwhile, while tomatoes are roasting, boil 5 1/2 cups of salted water (about 1 1/2 tsp of salt) for your pasta. 
  5. Add pasta and stir occasionally. Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and drain pasta, reserving 2 1/2 cups of water. Set pasta aside. (**See note)
  7. In the same pan, over medium heat, add butter and red pepper flakes. Saute for 1-2 minutes until foaming and pepper flakes are fragrant. (Be warned the pepper can fill the air and your nose!) 
  8. Add pasta water and stir. Simmer until sauce has reduced somewhat, about 5 minutes. 
  9. Reduce heat to low and add pasta and cheeses. Stir to combine and add hot water if the sauce becomes too thick. Cook until the pasta has heated through.
  10. Plate the pasta and top with roasted tomatoes. 
  11. Add additional cheese, pepper, and fennel pollen, to garnish and to taste.
  12. Serve warm. 


Notes

  • *If using gluten free pasta cook 3/4 of the way or it will fall apart.  I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt to my water. Rinse pasta well when done cooking.  
  • **If you do not have 2 1/2 cups of reserved water after cooking pasta just add hot tap water.