VATICAN CITY STATE: The Pope's Pasta (Pasta alla Papalina) with Renaissance Papal Salad

As my three daughters moved from preschool through elementary school, we were asked at least a half dozen times to submit our favorite family recipe to a class cookbook. Due to (my kids') popular demand, our submissions were always the same: pasta Carbonara. Thus when I decided to move my target from all 189 World Bank recognized countries to all of 197 recognized nations, I was thrilled to see that one of the augmented countries had a elegant riff on Carbonara as its apex dish.

Typically Pasta alla Papalina is made with fettuccini, and ideally fresh not dried pasta. But this is what we had in the cabinets. Most post noted that any long pasta works.

The Pope's Pasta (Pasta alla Papalina)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ small yellow onion

1 cup diced cooked or cured ham

1 cup frozen peas

1 large egg

4 large egg yolks

1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan cheese

12 oz fresh or dried fettuccini pasta

Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large pot of boiling water, add a generous amount of salt (you want it to taste like salt water). You want slightly more water in the pot than you would typically use to cook your pasta, as you will pull from it to add to the sauce.

2. While the water comes to temperature, heat butter in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Finely chop onion and add to the melted butter. Sauté, occasionally stirring, for 5 minutes or until transluscent and lightly browned.

3. If you are using dried pasta, when the pasta water comes to a boil, add the pasta to the pot while the onions sauté and cook according to the pasta directions. If you are using fresh pasta, it will finish cooking in only 2 to 3 minutes., so hold off on adding it to the water until the end of step 5.

4. In the skillet or sauté pan, add the ham and peas to the onions and butter, and sauté for another 4 minutes until the edges of the ham start to turn light brown. When the ham starts to brown and the peas taste done, turn off the heat under the skillet.

5. While the ham and peas cook, add the whole egg, egg yolks, and grated cheese to a medium bowl. Use a whisk or fork to mix the ingredients until combined. It will be thick, more like a batter than a sauce. If using fresh pasta, add the pasta to the boiling water now.

6. After the pasta has cooked through, use measuring cup take ½ cup of the boiling pasta water and slowly whisk it into to egg and cheese mixture to temper the eggs.

7. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet or sauté pan, still off the heat. Stir in well. Pour in the egg and cheese sauce. Stir completely. Once all has thoroughly combined, return the skillet or sauté pan to medium-low heat and stir continuously. The sauce will thicken while in the pan with the pasta. Season to taste and serve immediately.

   
   
   
   

Renaissance Papal Salad

5 oz spring mix lettuce or arugula (~5 cups)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano, optional

3 tablespoons olive oil

1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Ensure your spring mix or arugula is completely dry so the oil sticks properly.

2. Place the greens and herbs in a large salad bowl or serving bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and some salt. Toss thoroughly until every leaf is lightly coated. Let the oiled greens sit for 5 minutes to soften.

3. Splash the red wine vinegar and season to taste.

#pasta #carbonara #popespasta #pastaallapapalina #thevatican #vaticancity

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FUN FACTS:

• Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with an an area of just 0.19 square miles. It takes less than 15 minutes at an average pace to walk through it at its widest point (~.6 miles).  It has the shortest national railway system in the world, measuring only about 325 yards.

• Because light pollution in Rome makes stargazing difficult, the Vatican Observatory runs an advanced telescope stationed on Mount Graham in Arizona.

• Vatican City is the only sovereign nation with a zero birth rate, therefore no natural born citizens. There are no hospitals within its walls, so most pregnant citizens deliver their children in Rome, which is less than 3 miles away.