Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

This is another recipe that was stripped down by the Cooks Illustrated folks and made so much simpler and better it almost defies belief. I survived the lean college years on Ramen noodles and weenie water soup but this is almost as easy to make and a thousand fold more delicious. (It also is great hangover food as my former roommate Stefan will attest.)

I provide the full treatment here but as long as you keep the primary element - mixing the cheese with the egg - you can modify this sucker at will. And keep in mind you gotta move quick at the end of this when everything comes together.

Ingredients
  • . 25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • .5 pound bacon, slices halved length-wise, then cut crosswise into .25-inch pieces
  • .5 cup dry white wine
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (.75 cup)
  • .75 ounces Romano cheese, finely grated (about .25 cup)
  • 3 small cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions

Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil.

While water is heating, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Add wine and simmer until alcohol aroma has cooked off and wine is slightly reduced, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

Beat eggs, cheeses, and garlic together with fork in small bowl; set aside.

When water comes to boil, add pasta and 1 tablespoon table salt; stir to separate pasta. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta cooking water and drain pasta for about 5 seconds, leaving pasta slightly wet. Transfer drained pasta to warm serving bowl (if pasta is dry, add some reserved cooking water)

Immediately pour egg mixture over hot pasta, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes or .75 teaspoon table salt; toss well to combine. Pour bacon mixture over pasta, season generously with black pepper, and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.

more:  Italian Cuisine | pastas 

posted by kleph @ sunday, january 29, 2006 $formatted_time |

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