Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil Water for Pasta

   1 min

   Begin by filling a large pot with water and placing it over high heat. Allow the water to come to a rolling boil, which typically takes about 10-15 minutes depending on your stove.

2. 2

   Prepare Bacon and Cheese

   6 min

   Carefully dice 150g bacon into small, bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking. Grate 50g pecorino cheese and mix it with 50g parmesan cheese for a rich flavor blend that will enhance the dish.

3. 3

   Whisk Egg Yolks

   3 min

   In a medium mixing bowl, crack open 6 egg yolks and whisk them vigorously until the mixture is smooth. Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to your taste.

4. 4

   Cook Spaghetti

   12 min

   Once the water is boiling, add 1 tsp salt to enhance the pasta's flavor, then gently add 320g spaghetti. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches an al dente texture, firm to the bite.

5. 5

   Crush Garlic Cloves

   3 min

   Take 2 garlic cloves and place them under the flat side of a knife. Gently crush them to release their aromatic oils, which will infuse the dish with flavor during cooking.

6. 6

   Cook Bacon and Garlic

   6 min

   In a separate skillet, melt 50g unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced bacon and the crushed garlic to the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes or until the bacon turns crispy and golden, stirring occasionally.

7. 7

   Remove Garlic

   2 min

   After the bacon is cooked to your liking, carefully remove the garlic from the skillet and discard it. Keep the heat low to maintain the warmth of the bacon without burning it.

8. 8

   Combine Pasta and Bacon

   3 min

   Once the spaghetti is cooked, use tongs to transfer it directly from the pot to the skillet with the bacon, allowing a bit of the starchy pasta water to join the mix. This will help the sauce adhere better to the pasta.

9. 9

   Mix Egg Yolk and Cheese

   3 min

   In the bowl containing the whisked egg yolks, add most of the cheese mixture, reserving a small amount for garnish later. Stir well to combine, creating a creamy base for the sauce.

10. 10

    Combine Pasta with Sauce

    2 min

    Remove the skillet from the heat to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Quickly pour in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing the pasta thoroughly until it is evenly coated and creamy. If the sauce appears too thick, add a little reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.

11. 11

    Season to Taste

    2 min

    Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if necessary. Ensure the sauce remains moist and creamy, avoiding a soupy consistency by adding just enough pasta water.

12. 12

    Plate and Serve

    5 min

    Serve the pasta immediately, twisting it onto warm plates. Garnish with the reserved cheese and a generous sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. If the pasta looks dry, add a splash of hot pasta water to rejuvenate the sauce.

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