Monday night I had a business dinner at a cute italian place on the Lower East Side. When I found out their spaghettini dish included a heaping portion of fish roe (good lord WHY?), I followed the lead of 2 of my companions and ordered the bucatini cacio e pepe. The description was brief so I had no idea what the pasta was like but I’m a fan of pecorino romano cheese so I figured it’d be OK.

It was more than OK. It was GLORIOUS. One of the best pasta dishes I have ever had.

Throughout the week, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Should I go back and get an order to go? When?? Then I remembered: new kitchen, new me.

Off to Google I went to find a recipe. Then I bought the ingredients and MADE IT MYSELF.

It was pretty easy. It was fun. And it was GLORIOUS.

I think I have a new favorite pasta. And I am beyond proud of myself for doing the work to make it myself rather than falling back to takeout.