Flour + Water's Corn Cappelletti Recipe
Thomas McNaughton turns corn into an impressive pasta filling
Since opening San Francisco's Flour + Water restaurant, chef Thomas McNaughton has been justly lauded by diners for his wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas. But his culinary skills go beyond the perfect pie. In fact, he became a veritable master of macaroni while working at a pasta factory in Bologna. His corn cappelletti, a stuffed pasta that's a variation on ravioli, transforms the summer corn crop into a light and creamy pasta filling. You can re-create this amazing recipe at home using fresh pasta sheets from a top-notch vendor–or by making your own.
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Recipe adapted from Thomas McNaughton, Flour + Water, San Francisco
Corn Cappelletti
Chef Thomas McNaughton's corn pasta recipe from Flour and Water restaurant in San Francisco
servings
4
to 6 main-course servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (about ¾ cup)
- 1½ cups fresh corn kernels (from about 3 ears of corn), divided
- 1 cup fromage blanc
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1½ teaspoons Champagne vinegar
- ½ teaspoon minced tarragon
- 2 teaspoons minced chives, divided
- Salt
- 1½ pounds fresh pasta sheets
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Optional Ingredients
- Honey (optional)
Directions
- In a medium skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add all but 2 tablespoons of the corn and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
- In a food processor, purée the corn and onion mixture. Transfer to a large bowl and fold in the fromage blanc, Parmigiano-Reggiano, vinegar, tarragon and 1 teaspoon of the chives until combined. Season with salt.
- Place one pasta sheet on a lightly floured work surface. Using a 3½-inch pastry cutter or drinking glass, cut the dough into circles; discard the scraps. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the corn filling into the center of each circle. Brush the pasta edges with water, fold the circles in half to create a half moon and seal the edges. Press the two corners together to form the cappelletti. Repeat with the remaining pasta and filling.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cappelletti until al dente, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cappelletti to a large bowl.
- In a large skillet, bring ¼ cup of the pasta water and the butter to a simmer over medium heat and cook, whisking, until emulsified and slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of corn, the remaining teaspoon of chives and the parsley. Add the cappelletti and toss gently to coat with the sauce. Divide the cappelletti among plates. Garnish with a drizzle of honey and additional cheese, if desired, and serve immediately.