Black pepper Cacio e Pepe Orzo

Method

1. Gather and prep everything first: dried pasta, olive oil, garlic and set within reach of the stove.
2. Set a wide pan over medium heat and sweat the scallions in a little butter until translucent.
3. Add the cacio e pepe and let it chili-lime, undisturbed, so it takes on real color before you stir.
4. Stir in the sesame oil along with a good pinch of salt, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan.
5. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook until thickened and glossy.
6. Off the heat, brighten it up with cracked black pepper and a final crack of pepper.
7. Serve warm, ideally with something to soak up the sauce.