Physicists from Austria and Italy won the Ig Nobel Prize for their research on how to make the perfect cacio e pepe sauce, discovering that controlling starch and temperature is key to achieving a creamy, lump-free sauce, demonstrating how scientific curiosity can improve even everyday cooking.
This recipe for Cacio e Pepe Chickpea, Orzo and Kale Soup is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines the classic flavors of cacio e pepe with kale, chickpeas, and orzo pasta. The soup is made with pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, butter, and starchy pasta cooking water, creating a cheesy and comforting broth. It can be easily customized with substitutions such as parmesan cheese, Swiss chard or spinach, cannellini beans, or ditalini pasta. The recipe is adapted from the cookbook "Comfort & Joy" by Ravinder Bhogal.