Fourth of July

Pappardelle with Corn, Lobster, Pancetta, and Crème Fraîche

November  6, 2011
5
1 Ratings
Photo by Peter Fontana
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

This pasta dish combines fresh, sweet corn, lobster and salty pancetta -- a winning combination in my book. Creme fraîche, white wine, and chicken stock create a rich, velvety sauce that clings to each strand of the fresh pappardelle. Enjoy! —Sonali aka the Foodie Physician

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe has a sumptuous sauce with a variety of textures. The lobster adds richness, and is balanced by the crispness of the corn. Pappardelle supports the dish nicely -- use homemade if you can! We held back on the amount of pasta so the sauce could be the star of the show. —Kinhaven

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 3 ears of corn, shucked
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 ounces pancetta, diced
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup crème fraîche
  • 1 cup cooked lobster meat, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 pound fresh pappardelle pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese
Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the corn and cook until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer corn to a cutting board and, when it cools, cut off the kernels. Bring the water back to a boil so that it will be ready when you’re ready to drop in the pasta.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pan and set aside in a bowl. Add the shallot and garlic to the drippings in the pan and cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the corn and season mixture with salt and pepper. Turn the heat up to high and add the wine. Cook until liquid is reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and cook until partially reduced, 5 yo 6 minutes more. Lower the heat to medium and stir in the crème fraîche, lobster, and chives. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes until lobster is heated through.
  3. Cook the pappardelle in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta to the pan with the lobster, then add the cheese and cooked pancetta. Toss all of the ingredients together and cook another 2 to 3 minutes to meld all of the flavors. Add some of the reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce to desired consistency. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Pour pasta into a serving dish and garnish with reserved chives. Serve immediately.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • linda
    linda
  • lorigoldsby
    lorigoldsby
  • Deirdre Shoemaker
    Deirdre Shoemaker

3 Reviews

linda July 18, 2015
Delish!!! I added spinach & substituted chicken for lobster...Will be a keeper!!!
 
Deirdre S. February 15, 2014
Wow! Good with our homemade pasta. We loved it.
 
lorigoldsby November 7, 2011
Lucky you to be so inspired!