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SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA

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Serves: 2

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I think spaghetti carbonara is what Meryl Streep cooks for Jack Nicholson in the film version of one of my favourite books, "Heartburn", and it is so right, for that chin-dripping, love-soaked primal feast, the first time someone actually stays through the night.  Yes, I know a whole pack of spaghetti is far too much for two, but I want that whole panful lugged back to the bedroom.  No namby-pamby mimsy little plated arrangement.  So you'll have leftovers?  Just work up an appetite for them later.

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Ingredients

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  • 500 grams spaghetti
  • 275 grams cubed pancetta (or lardons)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 60 ml dry white wine (or vermouth)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 50 grams Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • black pepper
  • 60 ml double cream
  • freshly grated nutmeg
FEAST

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FEAST

Method

  1. Put a large pan of salted water on to boil for the pasta. Cut the pancetta into 1 x 1.5cm / ½ x ¼ inch cubes. If the pancetta has its rind on, cut it off - and use a bigger piece of pancetta, as the amount I've specified is for the prepared cubes - and put the rind in a pan with a film of oil and cook it gently to render down.
  2. Then in a large pan that will fit the pasta later, cook the pancetta cubes in the oil until crispy but not crunchy. Chuck over them the white wine or vermouth and let it bubble away so that, after a few minutes, you have a small amount of salty winey syrup left. Take the pan off the heat.
  3. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, Parmesan, cream and some pepper. Cook the pasta more or less according to the packet instructions, but since you want it kept al dente start checking it 2 minutes before the wrapper says it's done. Lower in a cup and remove approximately 125ml / ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Put the other pan, the one with the bacon cubes, on the heat and add the drained pasta, tossing well to coat with the syrupy pancetta. Add a little of the reserved pasta water to lubricate if necessary.
  4. Take the pan off the heat again and add the eggs and cheese mixture, swiftly tossing everything to mix. Grind over some more pepper and grate over the nutmeg, carry proudly aloft, and dive in.

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  • Carbonara = dead sexy. Best made with fresh papardelle, in my opinion~ ^.^

    Posted by Noamuth on 8th May 2011 at 9.43

  • If one were not to use any alcohol, what could you use instead of dry white wine or vermouth??

    Posted by Paul_South_Africa on 20th Sep 2011 at 10.32

  • It was delicious, thanks x

    Posted by lauras2411 on 22nd Sep 2011 at 19.20

  • Good evening ..sorry in avance for my english.....i'm italian and usually we don't use wine in the carbonara....I suggest also a little bit of parsley at the end ....it takes a bit of freshness!!!!! SILVIA

    Posted by ELE1991 on 23rd Feb 2012 at 21.42

  • Can't move after attempting to devour half of the 'serves' 2,wow its gorgeous but incredibly filling.only had smokey bacon and would chop it much smaller next time,didn't really stick to the spaghetti.

    Posted by jillyh74 on 1st May 2012 at 20.20

  • I MAKE THIS RECIPE AND IS VERY GOOD!!!! THANK YOU NIGELLA FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFULL IDEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! ILDI

    Posted by ildicsonka on 21st Jun 2012 at 14.25

  • Made it for the family the other week there, amazing and plenty BIG potions......

    Posted by bobt.barman on 19th Feb 2013 at 18.34

  • Simply gorgeous if made as stated but in a hurry I will do it with milk instead and cream or bacon instead of panchetta and it is still delicious.

    Posted by fifijames on 3rd Mar 2013 at 22.52

  • Nigella, did as you said and ate it in bed!

    Posted by Owlgirl on 10th Mar 2013 at 21.49

  • Lovely recipe, but absolutely ridiculous amount of pasta. Could probably use a quarter amount of the pasta listed here and this would allow for a decent amount of sauce per person.

    Posted by Dckymt on 19th Apr 2013 at 23.27

  • I was wondering if it is possible to find "guanciale" instead of pancetta in London... Anyway, the most amazing thing of cooking is that we can modify recipes according to what we have and what we love...

    Posted by RaffaelloM on 7th May 2013 at 14.45

  • Carbonara is my favourite pasta dish and I've just made this.. it's seriously good. So easy and tastes amazing! Am now near-comatose on the sofa after eating FAR too much. Dread to think of the calories.. but totally worth it!

    Posted by 50sHousewife on 7th May 2013 at 19.03