Cacio e pepe, a traditional Italian Pecorino-and-black pepper preparation for pasta, was the inspiration for this recipe for asparagus simply prepared, quick, and delicious. And look at the other vegetables you can make this way: spaghetti squash; chopped, spiralized, or sliced zucchini or summer squash; broccoli, broccoli rabe, or broccolini; braised kale or other greens; green beans; cauliflower; potatoes, small, whole, or chunks; steamed, boiled, or roasted carrots or winter squash…. You name it. Kids love this lovely side dish with its speckled coating of tasty cheese.
Serves 2 to 6
Time: about 10 minutes
1 pound fresh asparagus
Salt
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup grated or finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Snap off the fibrous tough ends of the asparagus spears. Rinse the spears and cut them into 1-inch-long pieces (about 2 cups). Bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil in a covered saucepan. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender (still a little dot of white visible in the middle of a cut end). Drain or remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon, and put it in a serving bowl. Drizzle on the olive oil, sprinkle with the cheese, and top with the pepper. Toss well.
• For a more elegant presentation, leave the asparagus spears whole, sprinkle on the oil, cheese, and pepper, and roll them a bit to coat.
• Steam or boil almost any vegetable and toss with extra-virgin olive oil; grated or finely shredded Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, or other hard Italian cheese; and lots of ground black pepper.
• Or roast vegetables and toss with grated cheese. Grind pepper right onto the steaming-hot vegetables. If you use a cheese less salty than pecorino, add salt to taste.
Here’s a nice meal: Asparagus Cacio e Pepe–Style with Roasted Red Pepper, Black Olive, and Tofu Burgers and Orzo Risotto Or serve with Aigo Bouido and Apulian Fava Beans and Greens. No matter what you serve it with, you’ll want a hunk of crusty bread to mop up the tasty oil and cheese left when you’ve finished every piece of asparagus.