THE SILKIEST CARBONARA

The Silkiest Carbonara image

Provided by Barbara Lynch

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 pound guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl) or pancetta, cut into 1/3" cubes
7 large egg yolks
1 large egg
1 pound rigatoni
Kosher salt
1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan plus more for garnish
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground green peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pink pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
Freshly ground black pepper
Ingredient info: Guanciale is available at specialty foods stores, Italian markets, and zingermans.com.

Steps:

Put guanciale in a large skillet and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until fat renders but guanciale is not browned, about 5 minutes. Pour into a fine-mesh sieve set over a small bowl; reserve drippings. Transfer guanciale to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Add egg yolks and egg to bowl; whisk to blend.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
To egg mixture, immediately add rigatoni, 2 tablespoons pasta cooking liquid, and 1 teaspoon guanciale drippings; toss to coat. Working in 3 batches, gradually add Pecorino, stirring and tossing to melt between batches. Add green, pink, and white pepper (or 1 1/2-2 teaspoons black pepper); toss until sauce thickens, adding more pasta water by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Divide among bowls. Garnish with Pecorino.