Spaghetti alla Carbonara
- 1/2 pounds Spaghetti
- 1/2 cups Chopped Uncured Bacon, Or Pancetta
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 1/2 cups Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Note: As you can see, I wasnt kidding about how few ingredients are needed.
- However, this does mean that the quality of each ingredient really matters.
- Dont use pre-grated parmesan cheese from some container that will last till 2020.
- Its crap.
- Really, it doesnt even compare to fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, so go out and get the real thing.
- Buy it in a block and grate as you need it.
- Also, you will know if it is real because on the rind of the cheese there is always the name stamped out.
- Fake parmesan will not have that.
- Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Season the water generously with salt, and then add the pasta.
- Cook the pasta until al dente (usually this means for 2 minutes less than the package recommends).
- If you are trying it for doneness, it should still have quite a bite to it.
- Remember, you will cook it after removing for another few minutes in the pan, so fear not.
- While the pasta is boiling, place your chopped bacon (or pancetta) into a large, deep skillet and cook it until is dark and crisp.
- After it is cooked, pour all the pans contents onto a cutting board lined with several sheets of paper towel.
- The idea is to remove all of that bacon fat from the pan and from the pieces themselves.
- I feel that leaving all that fat is unnecessary and overpowers the dish.
- Return the de-oiled meat back into the pan and turn the heat off.
- In a separate clean bowl, whisk together the eggs and parmesan cheese.
- At this point, you should be just about ready to drain your pasta.
- Before you drain it, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Slowly whisk this hot pasta water into the egg and cheese mixture.
- Add it very, very slowly so that you dont end up cooking the egg.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan with the bacon.
- Turn the heat on low, and pour in the egg sauce.
- Whisk vigorously, constantly turning the pasta.
- You should notice, within just a minute or two, the sauce will become very creamy.
- Once that happens, turn of the heat and serve.
- Dont cook the pasta for too long in the pan or you will have scrambled eggs.
- Also, if you feel like the sauce has stiffened up, add a little bit more water.
- Serve with some sliced scallion on top and a little sprinkle of cheese.
uncured bacon, egg yolks
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/spaghetti-alla-carbonara-2/ (may not work)