Claire's Spinach Carbonara
- Salt
- 1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 pound fresh or dried spinach fettuccine
- 1 whole large egg, plus 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for garnish
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat and salt generously.
- Put the bacon in a large high-sided skillet and cook over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and reserve bacon in the pan.
- When the bacon is about halfway cooked, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook about 4 minutes for fresh or according to the package instructions if using dried.
- Meanwhile, whisk the egg and yolks, 1 cup cheese and pepper together in a small bowl.
- When the pasta is ready, return the skillet with the bacon to medium heat.
- Using a ladle, slowly whisk about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water into the egg and cheese mixture until loosened.
- Reserve some additional cooking water.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet.
- While tossing continually, slowly drizzle the egg mixture over the pasta until it is completely coated.
- Add more cooking water if pasta seems dry.
- Add the spinach leaves to the pan and toss until combined.
- Transfer the carbonara to a serving bowl and serve immediately with more cheese sprinkled over the top.
- Cook's Note: The key to perfect carbonara is working while everything is piping hot; this assures the egg will cook and produce a silky, creamy sauce that sticks to the pasta.
salt, bacon, egg, freshly cracked black pepper, baby spinach
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/claires-spinach-carbonara-recipe.html (may not work)