Find out some alternative uses for transglutaminase on this week's episode of Cooking Issues. Dave Arnold and Nastassia Lopez are answering listener questions on topics from first aid to Salamander broilers. Listen in to hear how hard water affects the cooking of vegetables, and learn how you can simulate hard water with calcium hydroxide. Can transglutaminase be used to seal wounds in humans? Learn how to use pectin to preserve the shape of berries in pancakes and waffles, and find out more about trichinosis and pork in the United States. Dave suggests some ways to preserve foods on short camping trips, and explains some ways to carbonate at home! Thanks to today's sponsor, Fairway Market.

"If you have a giant ice block, you should have no problem keeping that for three days in your cooler- and put your food next to that. And you can make great drinks with that, too!" [46:10] -- Dave Arnold on Cooking Issues

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Recipe: Orechiette with Guanciale and Dandelions

1lb good quality orecchiette (I’m partial to De Cecco)
Kosher salt
1 tsp olive oil
¼ pound guanciale, cut into ¼” by 1” slices*
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tspn chili flake
½ tablespoon unsalted butter
1 large bunch of dandelions, cleaned and chiffonaded
1 Tbspn flat-leaf parsley, chopped
¼ grated pecorino cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

*Guanciale is cured pork jowl. Often, bacon is subbed for guanciale in Americanized recipes, which is totally bogus. There’s no excuse to use overpowering smoked bacon in place of the subtler-flavored face-meat. You can get great guanc here in NYC at the Meat Hook, where they cure theirs in house. Don’t feel like making the trip to Williamsburg? No excuse! Heritage Foods USA will ship their amazing product directly to your door!

In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to boil, salting liberally (2-3 Tbsp) until briny like seawater. In a colander, dunk the greens into the boiling water and bring back to a boil. Cook for one minute and then plunge into ice water or run under a cold tap.

Add the pasta to the water, stirring so it does not stick together.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large sauté pan (preferably non-stick, if you’re lazy like I am) over medium high heat. Add the guanciale, cooking till the fat has been rendered and there’s a bit of brown crustiness around the edges, about 12 minutes. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and drain well, squeezing between towels. Reserve until ready to use. Add the chili flake and garlic and toast for 1-2 minutes, till the garlic begins to turn golden, but not brown. Add butter and greens and sauté for about 2 minutes, till the leaves wilt through. Add salt to taste.

When the pasta is almost a perfect al dente, use a spider to transfer to pan. The idea is to bring a bit of the cooking water with the pasta into the pan. If you don’t have a spider, you should really go get one, they’re like a dollar in Chinatown, but for the purposes of this recipe you can reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander. Turn the heat up to high under the skillet and add the grated cheese, tossing to coat the pasta. Add pasta-cooking water as necessary to create a nice emulsification and prevent the dish from getting dry. When all the cheese has been incorporated, toss in the parsley and remove from heat.

Serve immediately with a medium bodied red wine, like a teroldego.