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The Tiny Italian

Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta / Recipes

How to cook pasta alla Gricia x Garofalo pasta

Rome has plenty to answer for when it comes to fantastic comforting pasta recipes. It is the place to visit if you want the best CARBONARA, CACIO E PEPE or even AMATRICIANA. However, there is a fourth that hasn’t really made it over the channel and that pasta dish is ‘ALLA GRICIA’. I didn’t know it even existed until I spent a week eating my way through Rome a few years back.

It’s made up of 3 key ingredients. GUANCIALE (cured pork cheek), PECORINO ROMANO (salty hard cheese) and freshly ground BLACK PEPPER. It has the creamy consistency of cacio e pepe, but has the salty crispy guanciale found in a carbonara or amatriciana.

The simplicity of this recipe is what makes it so special, having taste buds focus on the flavour created by this fabulous trio. However, there is one more addition that brings this dish together and that is PASTA WATER. So the quality of the pasta used in this dish is extremely important as we need the best starchy pasta water to create the best ALLA GRICIA ever.

Traditionally eaten with dry spaghetti or rigatoni, there is no better pasta than Garofalo to create this dishe here in the UK.

rigatoni alla gricia in a pasta bowl, in a large frying pan with a bag of Garofalo rigatoni, pecorino romano and guanciale on an orange checked table cloth

Garofalo pasta

Using only the best quality semolina flour, their pasta has a high protein content, which helps retain starch, hold its shape and give that perfect ‘al dente’ texture that we should all be looking for. Secondly, Garofalo pasta is bronze-died, which gives the pasta a rough, porous surface. So a lovely oil-based creamy sauce, like in ‘alla gricia’ will perfectly bind and cling to it giving you an amazing pasta eating experience.

Made in Gragnano, a city in the province of Naples, it’s better known as the ‘city of pasta‘. The pasta produced here is of such a high standard that even the European Commission has given it an IGP status (guarantee of origin for foods produced in specific areas; Italy).

There are a few other important tips that I have highlighted for you in the TIPS section below, that will help create the perfect ‘Alla Gricia’ dish. Plus, if you would like to buy Garofalo pasta make sure to check out Ocado, Amazon or local special Italian food stores to fill your stock cupboards up with.

PrintPrint

Pasta alla gricia (2 people)

  • 150g guanciale or pancetta, chopped into matchstick

  • 60g grated pecorino romano cheese or (Parmiggiano reggiano), finely grated

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 250g Garofalo pasta

  • Sea salt

PrintPrint

Directions

  • First, bring a large pan of water to the boil.
  • Next, add your guanciale to a hot frying pan. Cook it on a low heat until the fat has beautifully rendered and gone crisp. This can take up to 10 minutes. Remove the guanciale from the pan with a slotted spoon, leaving as much fat in the pan as possible
  • In the meantime, salt your pasta water and cook your pasta 2 minutes less instructed on the packet.
  • When your pasta is cooked, add it to the frying pan which is on a low/medium heat and coat it with the hot rendered fat. Add a small ladle of pasta water and keep the pasta cooking in the pan.
  • When the water has absorbed, add half of the cheese and a little bit more pasta water until the cheese has melted and gives the sauce a creamier texture.
  • Repeat with the rest of the cheese.
  • Next add the guanciale back in and add plenty of black pepper. Give everything a good toss through so all the ingredients are well coated together. Serve immediately

Tips

  1. Make sure your pasta pan is nice and large so that your pasta has plenty of room to cook in.
  2. There is no need to add olive oil when frying the guanciale. It will slowly release its own fat which we need for this recipe.
  3. When seasoning your pasta water, make sure you wait at least 30 seconds before you add your pasta. This gives it time to dissolve and season the water evenly. Plus ensure it tastes as salty as the sea. You are also want to undercook your pasta as we are going to finish it’s cooking in the guanciale fat.
  4. The starchy pasta water and the fat will emulsify to create a creamy texture.
  5. You want to keep the sauce cooking and reducing. Make sure the sauce is not too watery.
  6. Same as above

**This recipe is a paid collaboration with Garofalo pasta.

TAGS:alla griciapasta alla griciapasta reciperigatoniroman cookingroman pastaroman pasta dishes
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The Tiny Italian

Ciao, I’m Paola I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert cook and teacher. I teach people to not only cook but teach them how to LOVE TO COOK. I help change peoples mindset by showing them that cooking is not only for 'FOODIES' and sharing the fun, stress-free side with recipes, tips and cooking experiences.

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Ciao, I’m Paola
Ciao, I’m Paola

Ciao, I’m Paola

I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert, cook and teacher. Cooking doesn't come easy to everyone. However, I help you LEARN to LOVE to cook and eat better with EASY SEXY HEALTHY Italian RECIPES. Plus TIPS and HACKS to build your kitchen CONFIDENCE. Come cook with me at one of my fun stress free cooking classes or courses. It’s all about helping others BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN SAUCE!

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By embracing an EASY FUN DELICIOUS form of SELF CARE you will eventually cook without the stress or overwhelm. It’s all about enjoying the process and cooking food that makes you feel good. Cos when we eat better, we feel better my bambinos #businessmission #cookingrelationships #helpwithcooking #selfcarepage #wellnesstips #mindfulcooking #mindfuleatingtips #mindfuleatingcoach
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This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet. SAUCY SOCIETY It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com #cookinglife #cookingday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #onlinecookingclass #cookingcommunity
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By embracing an EASY FUN DELICIOUS form of SELF CARE you will eventually cook without the stress or overwhelm. 
It’s all about enjoying the process and cooking food that makes you feel good.
Cos when we eat better, we feel better my bambinos 
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By embracing an EASY FUN DELICIOUS form of SELF CARE you will eventually cook without the stress or overwhelm. It’s all about enjoying the process and cooking food that makes you feel good. Cos when we eat better, we feel better my bambinos #businessmission #cookingrelationships #helpwithcooking #selfcarepage #wellnesstips #mindfulcooking #mindfuleatingtips #mindfuleatingcoach
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This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet.
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For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com
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This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet. SAUCY SOCIETY It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com #cookinglife #cookingday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #onlinecookingclass #cookingcommunity
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Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts. So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections. The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life. Love should always come first. Paola ❤️ #eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
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SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. 
This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. 
It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day.  You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients:
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Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. 
Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I  only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. 
Anywhere enjoy guys. 
Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. 
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SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day. You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients: Peas Spinach Leeks Pancetta Gnocchi Lemon Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese) Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. Anywhere enjoy guys. Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. #easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
1 week ago
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Cooking can calm your mind.
However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day.
However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻
It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. 
Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you  relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day.
Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together.
We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. 
#selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Cooking can calm your mind. However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day. However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻 It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day. Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together. We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. #selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
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