WHITE CORN AGNOLOTTI

Ingredients

Filling

1 1 1cup CUP_USVolumeheavy cream
4 4 4ears white corn, grated through medium holes from a box grater, about 2 cups
1 1 1teaspoon TEASPOON_USVolumekosher salt
¹/₄ 0.25 0.25teaspoon TEASPOON_USVolumefreshly ground black pepper
1 1 1teaspoon TEASPOON_USVolumesugar
1 1 1ounce OUNCE_USVolumegoat cheese
3 3 3ounces OUNCE_USVolumemascarpone cheese
2 2 2tablespoons TABLESPOON_USVolumegrated Parmesan cheese
¹/₂ 0.5 0.5teaspoon TEASPOON_USVolumefresh thyme leaves, minced

Agnolotti

10 10 10sheets, approx 6 x 12-inches, fresh pasta dough
Seminola or flour for dusting
1 1 1large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for eggwash
¹/₂ 0.5 0.5cup CUP_USVolumechicken stock
2 2 2sprigs of sage
Salt and pepper to taste
6 6 6ounces OUNCE_USVolumebutter
¹/₄ 0.25 0.25ounce OUNCE_USVolumewhite truffles

Instructions

Filling: In a medium skillet over medium high heat, bring the cream to a boil. Reduce until only 1/3 cup remains. Stir in the grated corn, salt, pepper and sugar. Bring the mixture to a slow boil, stirring constantly. Continue to cook until the mixture reduces and is thick enough to heavily coat the spoon.

Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the cheese and thyme and mix until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Place bowl over ice bath to allow filling to set.
Agnolotti: On a lightly floured board roll out the pasta sheets as thinly as possible. With a pastry bag or teaspoon, mound little heaps of filling about 1-inch apart in 2 rows. Brush around mounds with eggwash. Cut the pasta sheet in half between the rows, lengthwise. Fold the dough over filling and squeeze dough together between mounds. With a serrated pasta cutter, cut agnolotti. Cut away excess dough lengthwise; there should be no more than 1/4-inch around the edges. Cut individual agnolottis and pinch to seal.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a heavy skillet, add chicken stock, sage, and butter. Boil until mixture emulsifies. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the agnolotti in boiling water until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and toss gently in the sage butter.

Presentation

Serve in soup plates and shave white truffles on top. To take advantage of the wonderful truffle aroma, cover each individual bowl of agnolotti with another plate. When brought to the table, remove the top plate so that the truffle aroma escapes just as the guest takes the first bite.

Wine Recommendation

This dish demands that you select the best white wine in your cellar, preferably a great White Burgundy or one of the handful of outstanding Californian Chardonnays from winemakers like Peter Michael, Beringer Special Reserve, Kistler, Patz & Hall or Marcassin. The partnership of rich, buttery Chardonnay and the pasta will seem like a marriage made in heaven.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE

The first time people taste this dish when they visit Spago their eyes invariably close and their heads start to sway. This is an absolutely unique and original pasta dish, one that will repay your effort (and investment in white truffles) a hundred times over when you see the look on your guests’ faces as they take their first mouthful.