Carbonara

CARBONARA

The quintessential Roman dish. That true to roots Italian delicacy. That dish that Americans have turned into a cream base. What is it? Carbonara!!! Delicious, Rich, Simple, and only 4 ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Reggiano
• Black pepper
• Sliced guanciale
• Spaghetti

1. In a large saute pan, dice up about 1/4 cup of fresh guanciale into small dime size bites. guanciale is the cheek of the pig that has been cured. Saute until crisp and brown. Remove and let drain on a paper towel.

2. In a small bowel whisk together the eggs, Parmesan Reggiano cheese and lots of black pepper.

3. Once pasta is cooked. remove hot pan from stove you cooked gaunciale in and toss it back in. Toss in pasta and stir. Then quickly mix in the egg mixture to coat the pasta. Serve with more fresh cheese on top.

This is simple, delicious, and very RICH. You will never go back to eating a fake cream sauce version again.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Serves: 2

Ricotta Spinach Pistacchio Pesto

Ricotta Spinach Pistachio Pesto

    Here is one of those dishes you sort of come up with impulsively. I went into my fridge one evening and noticed I had left over ricotta and some spinach in a bag. I also typically have pistachios lying around. "Here's a good idea, why not combine them into a delicious new pesto sauce for fresh pasta?" This turned out to be one of those flavor combinations that saved the day. Ricotta Spinach Pistachio Pesto.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1-cup fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup pistachios
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Pasta of choice

1. In a blender combine ricotta, spinach, pistachios, Parmesan cheese, and garlic and blend until creamy. Add oil if needed to thin out a bit.

2. Cook pasta as normal and then stir with the pesto sauce.

3. Top some crushed pistachios and Parmesan cheese.

As weird and interesting that this pasta dish is, the flavor combination was amazing....

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2+