Spaghetti Carbonara my way

You may notice a theme emerging over forthcoming editions...to quote a recently revived film in the Hill household.."I feel the need, the need for speed!".

I go through phases like this, sometimes I can breeze in from work and whip up a wonderful meal without batting and eyelash and then other times like now, speed is of the essence, I just want to get in, get the cooking out of the way and chill. The good thing about that, is that generally I use few ingredients and end up with something tasty and cheap.

I usually have the ideas brewing in my head for weeks..thinking about things I have in the house, wondering how they would fit together, what they would taste like,  what would it be like if I made so and so but used that instead...you get the idea.

Last week, after ballet on Thursday, I really couldn't be bothered and we needed something quick. Tony has been going to work in the day and then working from home in the evening, so he had little time to stop and eat, therefore it needed to be something not too heavy and quick and easy to eat too.

I've only every had Spaghetti Carbonara once, I'm not sure why, I was in Café Espana on Old Crompton Street with my good friend Jill, we were on our way to see Miss Saigon I think and were enjoying a pre theatre lunch after a long coach trip with the other girls from Center Parcs Head Office (yes that's a long time ago). It was not long after we had been there that there was a terrible nail bomb attack on a pub on Old Crompton Street. Anyway, I was excited to find the restaurant had Pulpo a la Gallega which I ordered as a starter and then for reasons I really don't understand I ordered the not at all Spanish Spaghetti Carbonara. It was made with little chunks of smoked, boiled ham and a sauce which I recall was made with Parmesan and evaporated milk....it was extremely rich, and heavy and smoky and it satisfied a curiosity and I didn't feel the need to try it again.

Arriving home in a rush on Thursday, I'd been to pick up a parcel from Next and nearly didn't make it to school in time and quickly making Lauren a duck egg on toast, I realised I'd not planned anything for tea, but I did have a pack of bacon, some Parmesan and lots of eggs, which started me thinking about Carbonara. I did my usual internet research and came up with my own version based on what I had in the fridge.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Set enough spaghetti for 2 people cooking in some salted boiling water.

While the pasta is cooking, fry some bacon or pancetta in a little olive oil, along with 2 cloves of crushed garlic.


While you are waiting for everything to cook in a bowl mix either 2 whole eggs and 1 yolk, OR for a richer sauce, 1 whole egg, 1 yolk and a splash of double cream - season with salt and freshly ground pepper, add 50g finely grated Parmesan and mix well. Set aside.

Drain the pasta once cooked, reserving a little of the cooking water. When the bacon is done and a little crispy on the edges, add in the spaghetti and mix well. Take the pan off the heat and leave for just a minute before stirring in the egg mixture. You really need to keep everything stirring to ensure the eggs make a creamy sauce and don't scramble, add a little of the pasta water if you need to, to make a smoother sauce. Once everything is incorporated, serve in warm bowls or on warm plates and season with a little more black pepper and dust with some more finely grated Parmesan.


Serve immediately.

To say how few ingredients I used, this was really tasty and made an ideal speedy supper. It was so cheap - I only used two thirds of the pack of bacon. It was ready in 15 minutes, there was hardly any washing up, perfect for the end of a busy day.

I hope you will try it and enjoy it too.