Bacon, Corn and Mascarpone Tagliatelle
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
- 1/3 pound lean, thick cut bacon or pancetta, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 to 6 ears fresh sweet corn on the cob, kernels scraped
- 2 tablespoons thyme, chopped
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese
- Black pepper, espelette or cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1 pound egg tagliatelle or fettuccine
- Chopped flat-leaf parsley and chives
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Heat olive oil over medium high heat in large skillet, add bacon and crisp. Remove to a plate; add onions to the drippings and reduce heat a bit. Cook to soften then add garlic, corn and thyme; cook until corn just begins to lightly brown. Add stock, bring to a bubble and reduce a minute or so. Stir in mascarpone cheese and reduce heat to low.
Salt boiling water and cook pasta to al dente. Add a ladle of starchy cooking water to the sauce, drain pasta and add to pan. Toss with corn sauce, bacon and a handful of cheese. Toss vigorously to combine and serve in shallow bowls with parsley and chives on top; pass extra cheese at table.