Beet-Infused Fettuccine with Vodka Vinaigrette and Osetra Caviar

Beet-Infused Fettuccine with Vodka Vinaigrette and Osetra Caviar

Brilliant magenta ribbons of fresh beet pasta glisten in a sharp, aromatic vodka vinaigrette. Luxurious pearls of Osetra caviar burst with oceanic brine, perfectly balanced by cool creme fraiche and bright traditional garnishes.

2h 15mAdvanced4 appetizer servings
Remix

Equipment

Pasta machine
Blender or food processor
Mixing bowls
Large pot
Colander
Whisk
Mother of pearl spoon*

* optional

Ingredients

4 servings

Beet Pasta Dough

  • 300 g tipo 00 flour
  • 5 g kosher salt
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 80 g roasted beets, pureed until completely smooth

Vodka Vinaigrette

  • 30 ml premium vodka
  • 15 ml white wine vinegar
  • 45 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 g lemon zest, finely grated
  • 1 g white pepper, ground
  • 2 g kosher salt

Caviar and Garnishes

  • 30 g osetra caviar, chilled
  • 60 g creme fraiche, chilled
  • 10 g chives, finely minced
  • 15 g shallots, finely minced
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, pushed through a fine sieve

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.

508
Calories
15g
Protein
62g
Carbohydrates
20g
Fat
3g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
865mg
Sodium
Full nutrition
Calories
508 kcal
Protein
15 g
Carbohydrates
62 g
Fat
20 g
Fiber
3 g
Sugar
3 g
Sodium
865 mg
Saturated Fat
5 g
Trans Fat
0 g
Monounsaturated Fat
11 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3 g
Cholesterol
193 mg
Potassium
245 mg
Calcium
76 mg
Iron
2.7 mg
Magnesium
52 mg
Phosphorus
202 mg
Zinc
1.2 mg
Vitamin A
114 mcg
Vitamin C
3 mg
Vitamin D
1.0 mcg
Vitamin E
2.3 mg
Vitamin K
7 mcg
Vitamin B6
0.1 mg
Vitamin B12
1.9 mcg
Thiamin
0.14 mg
Riboflavin
0.29 mg
Niacin
1.1 mg
Folate
59 mcg
Water
81 g
Alcohol
3 g

Sources: Aggregated Public Data, USDA FoodData Central

Method

01

Puree the roasted beets in a blender or food processor until entirely smooth, passing through a fine sieve if necessary to remove any fibrous pieces.

5mLook for: vibrant, uniform paste with no lumpsFeel: completely smooth
02

Mound the tipo 00 flour and salt on a clean work surface. Create a deep well in the center and add the room temperature eggs and beet puree.

03

Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients using a fork, then transition to kneading by hand. Knead vigorously until the dough is smooth, elastic, and uniform in color.

10mLook for: uniform magenta color without flour streaksFeel: springs back when poked
04

Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and allow it to rest at room temperature to hydrate the flour and relax the gluten.

1h
05

Divide the dough into quarters. Pass each piece through a pasta machine, gradually reducing the thickness until it is about 1.5mm thick. Cut the sheets into fettuccine ribbons.

20m
06

In a small mixing bowl, aggressively whisk the premium vodka, white wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and white pepper until fully emulsified.

2mLook for: opaque and homogenous liquid
07

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil at 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Drop the fresh fettuccine into the water and cook briefly until al dente.

3mFeel: tender with a slight resistance in the center
08

Drain the pasta in a colander, shaking off excess water. Immediately transfer to a mixing bowl and toss gently with the vodka vinaigrette while the pasta is still hot.

Look for: pasta is glossy and evenly coated
09

Using a carving fork or tongs, twirl the dressed pasta into warm shallow bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of creme fraiche, a gentle spoonful of caviar, minced chives, shallots, and a dusting of sieved egg.

Chef's Notes

  • Treat the vodka in the vinaigrette like a seasoning. Choose a high-quality, clean-tasting vodka as the raw alcohol bite will be prominent and cuts directly through the richness of the caviar.
  • The temperature contrast in this dish is vital. The pasta should be warm enough to release the aromas of the vinaigrette, but the caviar and creme fraiche must remain sharply chilled until the moment of serving.
  • Sieiving the hard-boiled egg creates a delicate, fluffy garnish known as mimosa, providing a beautiful textural contrast to the snapping pearls of caviar without weighing down the fine pasta.

Storage

Refrigerator: 1 dayUncooked pasta dough only. Finished dish does not keep.

Freezer: 1 monthUncooked shaped pasta can be frozen.

Troubleshooting

Pasta dough is too sticky or wet

Cause: The roasted beets retained too much moisture

Fix: Knead in extra tipo 00 flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough becomes silky

Prevention: Roast beets whole rather than boiling to minimize water content

Vodka vinaigrette separates quickly

Cause: Insufficient whisking or improper ratio of oil to acid

Fix: Add a tiny drop of dijon mustard or a teaspoon of hot pasta water and re-whisk to stabilize the emulsion

Prevention: Stream olive oil in slowly while whisking vigorously

Caviar tastes metallic

Cause: Reaction with silver or base metal utensils

Fix: Cannot be fixed

Prevention: Always use non-reactive utensils like glass, bone, or mother of pearl when serving caviar

Cultural Context

This dish represents a modern interpretation of the traditional Russian Zakuski spread, elevating the classic pairings of vodka, beets, and caviar. By utilizing an Italian pasta medium, the sharp, aristocratic flavors of Eastern Europe are delivered in a playful, elegant appetizer course.

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