Cacio E Pepe

Directions

1. 1
   Put a big pot of well salted water on to boil. (It should taste like the ocean).
2. 2
   Ground your black pepper and dump it into a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. (Leave the heat off).
3. 3
   When your water is at a rolling boil, add your spaghetti, and for the first minute or so, babysit the pot, making sure to stir the noodles around so they don't stick.
4. 4
   Turn the heat on to the skillet, and toast the pepper until fragrant, stirring occasionally -- about 2 minutes.
5. 5
   Add the butter and oil, and simmer until the butter is foaming and lightly brown.
6. 6
   Drain the pasta 2 minutes early, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, and dump it directly into the skillet, adding half of the reserved pasta water. Don't be frightened if at first it seems soupy -- the pasta will absorb the liquid as it continues to cook. Sprinkle the pecorino on the pasta while continuing to toss. The pasta's ready when there's no liquid at the bottom of the pan and a few strands start to stick. Immediately plate and serve!