First published in Wish Summer 2006
*CARBONARA:
The Italian term describing a pasta dish with a sauce made of cream, eggs & Parmesan cheese. The sauce is heated only until it begins to thicken. The pasta must be very hot so when the sauce is poured over it, the eggs briefly continue to cook.SWITCH IT UP
Try these versions:- Cook some diced bacon, fry the eggs in the fat & toss the crispy pieces with the pasta.
- Toss spaghetti with a cooked vegetable, such as asparagus or oven-roasted peppers, before topping it with the egg.
food
Elemental Carbonara*
The soft-cooked yolk and cheese melt into a satisfying sauce, a lazy person’s carbonara, the ultimate instant soul food.
Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)
| 1/2 | pound spaghetti, linguine or other pasta |
| 4 | large eggs |
| 3/4 | cup grated Parmesan cheese |
| coarsely chopped Italian parsley for garnish |
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling, well-salted water, cook pasta until it is slightly underdone (the pasta will keep cooking after it's drained).
- With a measuring cup, scoop out 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- Drain the pasta and set the colander over a bowl while you start the eggs.
- Fry eggs in butter or olive oil.
- While the eggs are cooking, transfer the pasta to the cooking pot. Add about 1/3 cup of the cooking water and 6 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Toss until the cheese has melted and the pasta is coated with a creamy sauce, adding more cooking water if necessary to keep the pasta moist.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Divide the pasta evenly among 4 warm plates. Sprinkle each serving with an additional 6 tablespoons of grated cheese and arrange a fried egg in the centre of the mound. Scatter coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley over the top, if desired.
- Serve at once, instructing your guests to break the yolk and toss the egg with the pasta.
*Find this and other great recipes in…
The Improvisational Cook
By Sally Schneider
Schneider helps you discover cooking that's fun, unfussy and truly pleasurable. Everyday cooking can become creative – every day!
Note: This recipe has been adapted from its original.
Comment on "Elemental Carbonara*"
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Sherry writes:
This has become my favorite way to use left-over spagetti! Would be great if you could include the nutritional information with the recipes. Thanks for the great ideas!
—posted August 17, 2006 at 2:12 p.m.
camille r. writes:
An interesting recipe... if you are going to use bacon, try and find a low sodium product.
As for a carbonara of any type being "the 'ultimate SOUL food'...I should think that there are African-Americans who might argue this point. :0)
But it is a great easy recipe. Enjoy!
—posted October 2, 2006 at 3:18 p.m.
Elaine writes:
I have enjoyed this recepie tremendously, being Italian my mom would pan fry pancetta and add it to the pasta as well. The best part is the yolk mixing with the warm pasta...yum!!!
—posted October 2, 2006 at 8:32 p.m.
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