Pancetta Asparagus Carbonara Recipes

NEXT LEVEL SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

Steps:

• First, warm your serving dishes in a low oven or in the microwave. Heat the oil gently in a large, shallow pan. Fry the guanciale or pancetta and garlic for 10 mins, or until all the fat has rendered off and the meat is golden and crisp. Remove and discard the garlic clove, then turn off the heat.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to a simmer and cook the pasta until it's al dente (about a minute less than the pack instructions). Meanwhile, whisk 2 egg yolks in a small bowl with a pinch of salt.
• Using kitchen tongs, lift the pasta from the water into the pancetta pan along with any dripping water. Use a wooden spoon to stir it into the rendered fat. If the pan looks dry, add a small ladleful of pasta water and mix it in. Keep adding until you see a little pasta water at the bottom of the pan - you'll be surprised how much will be absorbed.
• Working quickly, tip the beaten yolks in with the pasta and stir vigorously. Rinse the yolk bowl out with a little more pasta water and pour that in too. Add most of the parmesan and beat again. If at any time it's becoming claggy or starting to scramble, pour in a little more water. If you've added too much, stir the pasta over the lowest heat for a few moments. You're aiming for a smooth sauce that is the consistency of double cream. Season with a couple of pinches of ground black pepper and taste for salt.
• Transfer the pasta to the warmed serving dishes, scatter over the remaining parmesan and nestle the last two egg yolks on top, if using. Season them with some salt and pepper, and drizzle over the truffle oil, if you have it, just before serving.

ASPARAGUS CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and cook bacon until browned, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel lined plate using a slotted spoon. Remove all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the skillet.
• Add asparagus to the skillet and cook in the bacon fat until asparagus begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer asparagus and garlic to the plate with the bacon.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese for garnish. Whisk together remaining Parmesan cheese, egg yolks, Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
• Drain spaghetti, setting aside about 3/4 cup of the cooking water, and return spaghetti to the pot. Stir in egg yolk mixture and toss for 1 minute until evenly coated. Return the pot back to low heat and cook, adjusting consistency with reserved cooking water if necessary, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Turn off heat, pour in half-and-half, and stir well. Mix in bacon and asparagus. Garnish with reserved Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS CARBONARA

Steps:

• Snap off the tough woody ends of the Asparagus and discard. Chop the Asparagus into 1 - 1 1/2 inch lengths, cutting it at an angle.
• Boil the Penne for approximately 10 minutes, or according to pack instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, boil the Asparagus for 4-5 minutes, until just tender. Drain.
• Melt the butter over a low heat, and cook the Pancetta pieces for approx 3-4 minutes. Add the drained asparagus to the pan for a further 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile beat the eggs, egg yolks, black pepper, cream and parmesan together.
• As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the pan with the butter, pancetta and asparagus, stirring to coat in all the butteryness. Remove from heat and stir in the egg and cream mixture.
• Serve with extra parmesan and a big glass of wine -- .