Name: Charred Lemon Cacio e Pepe
Cook time: 480 s
Total time: 480 s
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lemons, halved; 16 oz bucatini; 1 tbsp cracked black pepper; 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 c tap water; 1 1/3 c pecorino romano, shredded; reserved pasta water

Delaney and Shelby

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To briefly sum it up, we're sisters and self proclaimed home cooks. Whatever level cook you are, you've come to the right place! We create recipes that anyone and everyone can make because yes, you can do the cooking. 

Delaney, 24, attended St. Lawrence University where she played field hockey and majored in Government and African Studies and minored in Education Studies and Gender Studies. She graduated early at the end of 2020 and later moved in with Shelby. She has experience working as a field hockey and track coach and in sales for a large financial lending company. 

Shelby, 28, graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2017 with a degree in Health Promotion and Wellness Management and went on to get her Associates degree in nursing. She has experience working in both long-term care and an ICU step-down unit turned COVID unit during the pandemic. 

The sisters grew up in Upstate New York with their parents and two other sisters, Gabby (26) and Mackenzie (22). Shelby and Delaney both credit their family and Food Network for inspiring their passion for cooking. When they were little they used to dream of owning a restaurant together and even created a "menu" that was made up of their Grandma Betty's mac and cheese, chocolate chip cookies, and lemonade. 

As they grew up, their dreams of owning a restaurant were put on the back burner as they chose to pursue different career paths. Little did they know, they'd end up running a successful food-based social media platform together. It all started in January of 2021 when Delaney started posting recipes on TikTok as a way to pass the time and stay connected with friends. Low and behold, her tomato soup video went viral and the page started to gain followers. Shortly after that, she moved in with Shelby and they would film and post recipes in their off time. Fast forward two years and now the two sisters work as full-time content creators and recipe developers for their page, yessidothecookingg.


Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping make our dream become a reality. 
- Delaney and Shelby

We're Delaney and Shelby!

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Charred Lemon Cacio e Pepe

Heat a cast iron pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, place the lemons face down and char until dark brown but not burnt (this should only take a few minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bucatini and cook 2-3 minutes less than al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan on medium heat. Once hot, add the black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds.

Mix in the olive oil and cook for 1 minute.

Mix in the tap water and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Strain the pasta and add it to the pan with black pepper (don't forget to reserve pasta water).

Turn the heat to medium-low and cook the pasta for 2 minutes. Be sure to continuously mix so the pasta cooks evenly (if the pasta starts to get dry, you can add in extra water).

Turn the heat to low, sprinkle in the pecorino romano, and mix.

Squeeze in half a charred lemon and add in pasta water splash by splash (we used about 1/2 c but exact measurements may differ).

Stir continuously until the ingredients are combined. The sauce should look smooth and creamy.

Serve immediately and garnish with extra pecorino romano, lemon zest, and charred lemon. Enjoy!