Carbonara on a Chilly Day

Carmen Lee  

This article continues our series featuring Al Dente pasta.

There is something so comforting about a big bowl of pasta that warms you up on a chilly day. Inexpensive and easy to make, this Spinach Carbonara is great for entertaining or for those rainy days when all you want to do is curl up on the sofa with a great movie and a hearty bowl of pasta.

Spinach Carbonara
PREP IT
1 package of Al Dente Spinach Fettuccine (about 12 oz.)
½ package of bacon (about 8oz.), cut into 1-cm pieces
1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
½ bag of baby spinach leaves, washed (about 3oz.)
Salt & Pepper

CREATE IT
I. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, saving the pasta cooking water.
II. Meanwhile, crisp the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes. While the bacon crisps, combine Parmesan cheese, egg and egg yolks, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; add half a cup of hot pasta cooking water to eggs and whisk well.
III. Drain pasta and add to skillet with bacon. Add egg blend to the skillet, tossing to prevent the eggs from scrambling. While tossing pasta, ladle pasta water into the skillet of pasta until you form a great, silky sauce.
IV. Gently toss in the spinach leaves with the pasta.

SERVE IT
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve. This dish is wonderful, eaten among friends and family or simply as a personal treat.