Quarantine - Spaghetti Carbonara

What a time we are all living in!! By now, many are feeling fatigued and a bit weary.

Food was never more important to personal comfort than it is today.

While I have done several recipes on how to make a wonderful Carbonara, I think this recipe nails it - when the body and mind longs for a simple delicious dish that will relax you body and soul.

I made this particular Carbonara version last week and had one the best nights sleep in months!

I hope you will give this recipe a try.

*increase proportionately for a family.

Ingredients:

1/2 box spaghetti

4-6 oz cubed pancetta or you can use 5-6 slices of plain bacon

1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese

fresh cracked black pepper

2 egg yolks

1 whole egg

salt

Optional - 1-2 pinches of red pepper flakes (add at any time into the hot oil or the pasta before serving).

Directions:

In a cold pan add the pancetta and on medium high heat render the fat out of the bacon until your pancetta is nicely brown.

Remove the cooked pancetta and drain until needed.

Keep the residual oil in the pan.

In salted boiling water drop your pasta. *Quick tip - I always break my pasta in half..but you do not have to.

Cook the pasta for 7 minutes or 2 minutes less than the box directions.

When 5 minutes of cooking has passed pour 2 ladles of the pasta water into the hot oil. *Be careful not to splash.

Stir the mixture.

At this time add your eggs into the grated cheese and combine until the eggs and cheese are mixed well.

Add fresh cracked pepper into the cheese. Approx 1/2 TBL or more if you like.

Using tongs pull the pasta out of the water and place directly into the pan of hot oil and water.

Stir the pasta all around and finish cooking the pasta for 2-3 minutes this way.

Remove the pan off the heat and allow the pasta to cool for 20-30 seconds. Add the egg/cheese mix into the pasta and stir well to incorporate. If needed add a bit more pasta water to generate a nice sauce - as thick or creamy as you prefer.

Next add the pancetta.

Add on each serving more cheese and cracked pepper as desired.

ENJOY!