Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Eggs! They're not just for breakfast anymore.

I love eggs.  A simple hard-boiled egg with a sprinkle of salt is about as good as it gets for me.  I like eggs just about every way imaginable.  Fried, scrambled, sunny side up, poached, soft boiled, whatever.  Omelets, custards, huevos rancheros, sauces, you name it.  I just love eggs.

Eggs don't have to be limited to breakfast, and I'm not talking about an egg salad sandwich for lunch.

One of my favorite pasta dishes is Pasta Carbonara.  You can find an endless number of Carbonara recipes in cookbooks and online and there will be quite a lot of variation in them.  My version is exceptionally simple, which is a good thing.  It's also easily scaled from a single serving to a meal for eight or more.

For each serving, you'll need:
Pasta.  Something long and thin.  Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, that kind of thing.  I usually use linguine.
1 egg per person
2-3 strips of bacon per person (thick cut? 2, thinner slices? 3)
Hard cheese.  I love Romano.  My wife loves Parmigiano Reggiano.  Maybe you love Asiago.  Whatever you prefer, just be sure to buy it in a block and grate it yourself.
Fresh ground black pepper.

Get your pasta water on first, then chop the bacon into small pieces.  I'll usually split the strips lengthwise then cut into quarter-inch pieces.  While the water heats up, start frying the bacon.

You'll probably see the water boil before the bacon is done.  Salt your water liberally before you add the noodles.  Add the noodles and keep an eye on your bacon.

The bacon should be cooked before the noodles are done.  Turn off the burner and let the bacon sit.  Do not drain the bacon grease, some or all of it is going into the dish.

When the noodles are done, strain them and return them to the pasta pot.  Add the bacon and stir.  If you're freaked out by all that bacon grease, don't add it all.  For the full effect, use it all.

Crack your eggs into the hot pasta & bacon and give it a good stir.  The heat from the noodles will cook the egg and make the bacon stick to the noodles.

Plate immediately.  Top with fresh grated cheese and fresh ground pepper to taste.

2 comments:

  1. I think even Mom could pull this off! Sounds great - think I'll throw something green in it. Maybe peas.

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  2. So - I didn't get a chance to make this before Dad. He whipped it up last night and it was delicious. Easy and quick, too. Perfect for the last minute "what are we doing for dinner" night.

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