MACCHERONI WITH FRESH LEMON & CREAM

Maccheroni with Fresh Lemon & Cream image

Yield serves 6 as a ¿rst course or 4 as a main course

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons butter
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons (about 4 teaspoons)
1 cup dry white wine
Juice of 2 lemons, freshly squeezed (about 1/3 cup)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 batch (1 pound) Homemade Maccheroni alla Chitarra (page 236) or other pasta
1 cup freshly grated pecorino (or half pecorino and half Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, for a milder flavor), plus more for passing
Extra-virgin olive oil, best-quality, for serving
A large pot, 8-quart capacity, for cooking the pasta; a heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan, 12-inch diameter or larger

Steps:

To cook the maccheroni: heat a large pot of well-salted water (6 quarts or more) to the boil.
Drop the butter into the big skillet, and set it over medium heat. As the butter melts, scatter in the grated lemon zest; stir it around until sizzling. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, add the salt, stir, and bring the liquids to a bubbling simmer. Cover the skillet, and let cook for a couple of minutes.
Uncover the pan, and slowly pour in the cream, whisking it steadily into the simmering wine and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquids reduce to a saucy consistency you like, 2 or 3 minutes more.
After whisking in the cream, start cooking the pasta. Shake excess flour off the fresh maccheroni, and drop it into the boiling water, stirring to separate the strands. Return the water to a rolling boil, and cook the pasta for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until al dente.
With the lemon-and-cream sauce at a simmer, quickly lift out the maccheroni and drop it all into the skillet. Toss the pasta until well coated, loosening the sauce with a few spoonfuls of hot pasta-cooking water if needed.
Turn off the heat, sprinkle a cup or so of grated cheese over the maccheroni, and toss well. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, toss again, and heap the pasta in warm bowls. Serve immediately, with more cheese at the table.