Pasta Carbonara Inspired By The Pioneer Woman Recipes

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions while you start the sauce.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil and pancetta. Cook until the pancetta gets brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the cheese and some salt and pepper.
• When the spaghetti is done, drain it, reserving some of the cooking water, and add the pasta to the hot pancetta skillet. Toss to coat the pasta with the oil. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour over the egg mixture, tossing quickly so the eggs don't scramble. Add some of the hot cooking water to thin it out and form a sauce. Toss in the parsley. Serve immediately with some extra cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

PIONEER WOMAN'S PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Time to start sautéing the veggies in batches, cooking only 1 or 2 minutes (at most) each.
• Add broccoli and carrots to onion & garlic. Cook only for a minute, then remove to separate plate. Add another tablespoon of butter to pan and add red pepper strips. Cook for one minute, then remove. Repeat with remaining veggies, being very careful not to overcook; veggies at this point should still be somewhat raw/crunchy.
• When all veggies have been removed and skillet is empty, pour ½ to 1 glass of dry white wine to pan.
• With whisk, begin to scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen all the nice, flavorful bits from the bottom. Cooking over medium heat, add ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 cup whipping cream, and 1 cup half and half.
• Add ½ cup grated Parmesan. Stir together and cook until thick, adding salt & pepper to taste. Taste sauce as you go; don't oversalt, but don't undersalt either!
• Chiffonade fresh basil leaves, and stir into sauce. Now add all the veggies, including frozen peas, at once. Stir gently to combine; if sauce seems to thick, add equal parts half & half and chicken broth to thin. Cook over low heat until warm, just a couple of minutes. You don't want soggy veggies! Taste & check seasoning; add more salt & pepper if needed.
• Dump in al dente penne pasta, stir to combine thoroughly, and pour onto a large platter. Garnish with more basil leaves, throw on some more Parmesan, and gobble it up!

PASTA CARBONARA INSPIRED BY THE PIONEER WOMAN

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the frozen peas in 2 minutes before the pasta is done cooking.
• While the pasta is cooking, fry the bacon until just barely crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Pour off most of the bacon grease, leaving a tablespoon to cook the onions inches
• Return the pan to the stove over medium-low heat and throw in the onions and cook until very soft. Then add the garlic. Cook for 3 minutes then set aside.
• In a bowl, mix together eggs, Parmesan, half and half, and salt and pepper until smooth.
• When the pasta and peas are done, reserve a cup or two of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and peas but do not rinse, then place them back into the pan you cooked it inches
• While the pasta is still really hot, slowly drizzle in the egg mixture, stirring the pasta the whole time. The sauce will become thick and should coat the pasta. Splash in a little hot pasta water if needed for consistency.
• Add the peas, bacon, and sauteed onion/garlic.
• Add more pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.