New Orleans Food Questions And Comments

Fettuccine Alfredo

Is it everybody's favorite pasta dish? Well, I had a party once where I set up a pasta bar, with six different pasta dishes. This is the one everybody talked about. Of course, it has the miracle ingredient in it: heavy cream.

Although this is the way that will appeal to most people, some recipes (including this one) call for an egg yolk to be added to the hot, sauced pasta right before serving, and for Romano cheese to replace the Parmigiano. But authentic is not always better. I offer those suggestions for a change of pace.

1 lb. thin fettuccine noodles
1/2 stick butter
1 pint whipping cream
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Fresh ground pepper

1. Cook the fettuccine in a gallon of water at a rolling boil with a tablespoon of salt dissolved in it. Cook only until very flexible, but still firm. Drain and keep warm. Reserve 1/4 cup of the water.

2. In a large skillet, melt the butter, then whisk in the cream. Bring it to a light boil over medium heat until blended completely. Whisk in the reserved pasta water, then turn off the heat.

3. Add the hot pasta to and sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. With two forks, toss the pasta with the sauce until the cheese is blended in. If you like, add an egg yolk at this point and toss quickly to blend.

4. Serve with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serves four entrees or eight appetizers.

Revised 3/29/08


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