Mentaiko Spaghetti
You think you've had spaghetti? Not like this! It has everything you would expect —fat, salty elements— but it also has a slightly spiced fish roe, mentaiko, which adds another layer of flavor and complexity to the dish. If you can't find mentaiko, substitute with any cured and soft roe.
Bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat
Thinly slice <quantity>1</quantity> large nori sheet
Thinly slice <quantity>8</quantity> shiso leaves
Make a slit in the mentaiko roe sack and scrape out the roe. Reserve <quantity>120<unit>g</unit></quantity>
Add salt to taste to the boiling water
Cook <quantity>8<unit>oz</unit></quantity> of spaghetti until cooked through but still slightly firm. Reserve <quantity>1<unit>cup</unit></quantity> of the cooking water for later use
Strain the spaghetti
Transfer the spaghetti to a large bowl and add <quantity>3<unit>tbsp</unit></quantity> of unsalted butter. Mix to combine and melt the butter
Add <quantity>2<unit>tbsp</unit></quantity> of heavy cream and <quantity>1<unit>tbsp</unit></quantity> of soy sauce. Add salt to taste and mix to combine
Add the mentaiko roe and mix to incorporate
Add a splash of the spaghetti cooking water and mix to combine. Add more, if needed, to make the sauce creamy
Plate the spaghetti
Garnish with the nori and the shiso. The mentaiko spaghetti is ready
Don't wait too long, as you don't want the roe to cook. Enjoy!
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