10 minutes. 5 ingredients. 2 bowls.
Crack eggs. Boil Pasta. Impress date.
If you don't know what a Carbonara is, all you need to know is that it involves life's 3 best ingredients: bacon, eggs & pasta. I'd like to tell you that its a really wholesome meal as it contains the main food groups: carbs (pasta), protein (eggs), fat (bacon) and maybe some dairy (cheese/cream) if you choose. And it is ridiculously simple to make. Its a classic Italian dish, which means a glass of wine is mandatory.
Serves 4:
5 egg yolks & 1 whole egg
Bacon (who wants to put a measure on bacon? the more the better)
One fist full of Spaghetti (you can use any pasta, but spaghetti is best for this dish)
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup cheese
2tbsp cream (optional)
Cut the bacon to bite sized pieces. Sauté on medium heat till the fat renders. Make sure you use a big utensil, like a casserole, for the bacon. This utensil is where the magic happens and will also double up as a serving bowl.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of boiling water till al dente. Remove bacon from heat when done, and let it cool (the bowl should be warm not pipping hot). Add egg yolks and egg to the bacon and whisk to blend.
Drain the pasta once done, reserving some of the pasta water. Immediately add pasta to the egg mix. Toss to coat. Add some of the pasta water incase you find the mix too sticky and thick. Work the pasta in batches. Add some pasta, toss, and then repeat till all the pasta is added. Add a lot of pepper (atleast 3tsp). Keep tossing till sauce thickens. Add salt.
Taste. The mixture shouldn't taste eggy. The principle is that the pipping hot pasta is enough to cook the egg. In case you find the egg taste too pronounce, add in some cream and put on a low heat for 5-7mins stirring occasionally.
Divide among bowls to serve or do what I do and have it straight out of the serving bowl :) Garnish with cheese.
Note: It may not look it, but this is a very heavy dish. Serve small portions.
In case you find the dish too bland (and I know most Indians would), grate some nutmeg, add some chilli flakes and basil.
