Crab cacio e pepe

Method

• step 1

  Spread the crabmeat out onto a plate and loosen it with a fork – this will help take off the chill of the fridge (if the crabmeat is too cold, the cheese could clump).

• step 2

  Put the pecorino in a bowl and gradually whisk in 4 tbsp of room-temperature water.

• step 3

  Cook the spaghetti in lots of boiling salted water until just tender, then drain, saving a cup of the cooking water.

• step 4

  Put the olive oil in a wide shallow pan and gently heat the pepper for a couple of minutes. Tip in the drained spaghetti and 2 tbsp of the cooking water. Stir a few times, then add the cheese and toss. It should come together to make a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. Add the crab and toss briefly to warm through. Serve on warm plates with an extra sprinkle of pepper.