Help me with my carbonara tonight please

[ProseccoBitch]

DP does all the cooking (I do the housework/gardening/washing so it evens out). Our relationship is absolutely on the rocks and the next couple of weeks are make or break, I'm gutted as I want to be with him forever but we can't go on as we are. We need to make changes and do things differently and I have decided that making tagliatelle carbonara tonight is a good small start and something I can probably manage, it just seems 'safe' but is the kind of thing he likes. So - I would love to hear your top tips and any amazing secret ingredients you use that will make it special.

Thanks in advance

[Twistergeese]

Watching with interest as I love this meal...

It sounds like a very thoughtful gesture OP.

[ProseccoBitch]

Thanks Twister, my best mate reckons it's a terrible idea and will end in disaster (somewhat tongue in cheek) so I thought it was a good idea to ask for tips!

[summersunshineaddict]

Use This recipe, its amazing!

The key with carbonara is to heat the sauce incredibly slowly otherwise it kind of turns into scrambled eggs

Good luck

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

I'd say the opposite. Have your beaten eggs, Parmesan, olive oil ready to go. When you drain your pasta keep back a little but of the cooking water. Add the watery pasta to your bacon and then add the eggs etc while it's piping hot! Just the quick mix will cook the egg enough to make a lovely silky sauce.

This is a recipe without cream which is delicious. Try google Rick Stein's recipe.

[RJnomore1]

That Bbc recipe is almost identical to what I would suggest.

[Justwanttoweeinpeace]

Heston Blumenthal recipe is easy peasy.

Diced Onion
Diced Bacon
Parmesan grated 50g
Beaten Egg
Diced Chilli
Tagliatelle - cooked.

Cook diced onion slowly until soft, ten minutes.

Add bacon and chilli and turn up the heat til everything is lovely and brown.

Add cooked pasta, egg and Parmesan, seasoning. Mix up until everything is all creamy and delicious.

Eat.

Best emergency dinner ever

[Justwanttoweeinpeace]

Just to add, take everything off the heat when you mix it all together. The warmth of the pasta and bacon / onion mix melts the cheese and cooks through the egg. No worry about scrambled egg.

[weebarra]

We love Heston's in this house. Making it for the DCs tonight.

[JustSpeakSense]

^^ all the above advice seems sound. Apparently it Is a crime to put cream in carbonara. Good luck I hope it's delicious!

[DustOffYourHighestHopes]

NO ONION omg

Garlic, 3 large cloves for 2 people
Parsley
Parmesan
Streaky bacon, or pancetta, cut into matchsticks

Remember to cook bacon almost done BEFORE adding garlic, or it will burn.

Also pre-make the cheese/white wine/parsley mix. It will look like vomit. Don't worry. Once you add it to the pasta (off the stove) and mix furiously, it will melt away.

It's a simple dish so make sure you use black pepper, parsley, garlic, white wine to make it delish and not studenty.

[Amalfimamma]

Put some pancetta and a clove of garlic in a pan, no oil, and cook.

Boil water, add salt and pasta and cook.

In a bowl mix one egg and one egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of parmesan and some black pepper

Keep a little of the pasta water

Drain pasta

Put the pasta back into the saucepan, but not in the heat. Add pancetta and eggs and mix gently but quickly. Add a little of the water to loosen it up, serve immediately

[ProseccoBitch]

Thanks everyone, I've printed the suggested recipe off and will go and get the stuff on my way home. I'll let you know how it goes but will check in before I start later in case there are any more tips.

[Amalfimamma]

And for the love of Christ do not Use cream. That would be like putting orange juice on your cornflakes 😐

[GinIsIn]

Cook your bacon until it's really crispy, and have your eggs ready beaten in a bowl, and the Parmesan pre-grated.

Once the pasta is done, drain it but leave a little of the water in, pour in the egg and Parmesan and stir vigorously. Don't use cream but if you want it more creamy a tablespoon of Philadelphia works a treat!

Once the sauce is all yummy, stir through the bacon and LOTS of black pepper.

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

This is the recipe I use and it is perfect every time. Recently I've been using smoked streaky bacon instead of pancetta and I think I prefer it that way. It's also nice with a few caramelised onions mixed in.

Carbonara


2 eggs plus one yolk

130g pancetta

50g Parmesan

300g spaghetti


Cook spaghetti

When 5 mins to go cook the pancetta in large frying pan

Whisk eggs with the cheese and put in serving bowl

When spaghetti cooked al dente ,drain and toss in the frying pan with pancetta

Tip spaghetti and pancetta into the serving bowl and stir into the egg and cheese

[ProseccoBitch]

Wine or no wine? To add to the sauce I mean (will obviously be drinking to deal with the stress of cooking)

[LokisUnderpants]

BBC one is close to what Italian DH does. No garlic though!!!

Loads of black pepper in the egg cheese mix is all you need.

[Amalfimamma]

ProseccoBitch

No wine the bacon should be dry so not to cook the eggs too much

[Allegorygirl]

Loads of black pepper too.
Or if you like a creamy sauce try Alfredo, easy peasy.

[ProseccoBitch]

Getting the shopping in the car will be the best bit, I've got a 2 seater and need to get a boot full of stuff, 2 small dogs and a saddle home as well as the shopping

[ProseccoBitch]

Fucking Budgens haven't got pecorino or parmesan!! Nothing similar either. I've changed to a creamy carbonara sauce (bought) and got diced bacon (lazy I know), mushrooms, garlic, shallots, parsley and normal cheese. Bugger.

[Pomegranatemolasses]

It will probably be lovely - just don't call it Carbonara!

Good luck op. 🍾

[ProseccoBitch]

I'll get him drunk and hope for the best

[ProseccoBitch]

It was a success and we had a great night, I'll save this thread for my next attempt! Many thanks everyone.

[Pomegranatemolasses]

Lovely update Prosecco!