Tarako Spaghetti (salted Cod Fish Roe Pesto With Pasta)

Total Time: 10 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 fish roe, see note 1 (must be japanese salted cod roe called tarako or karashi mentaiko)
• 6 ounces spaghettini noodles (or finer)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or less)
• 1/4 sheet nori, cut into tiny tiny strips

Recipe

• 1 note 1: a) tarako comes in sausage-looking pieces b)you can choose either the spicy kind (karashi mentaiko) or just plain tarako c)you can find tarako at the japanese grocery store, often it is in the freezer.
• 2 cut open the casing on each piece of tarako and gently scrape or squeeze out the roe.
• 3 discard the casings.
• 4 start your water to boil for the spaghetti.
• 5 melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. reduce heat to low and add roe, stirring until the color of the roe changes to a pale orange.
• 6 stir in about half the heavy cream until well blended and heated through. as necessary, you can add the rest of the heavy cream.
• 7 turn off the heat and keep the sauce just warm.
• 8 don't ask me why, but a friend stirs in a spoonful of kewpie mayonnaise before tossing this dish together (i love kewpie mayo, but i haven't tried this addition).
• 9 cook the pasta to al dente.
• 10 drain pasta and toss with sauce (sprinkle on the nori over the top just before taking the plates to the table) to serve.