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Menu Plan for Fall I: Week 12, Day 3

Spaghetti Carbonara
Fresh Fruit

Cooking time:  25 minutes for menu       Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

             Put the water on and go do something while it comes to a boil.  The sauce goes together while the pasta cooks.  It's simple, a bit decadent and delicious.  The fruit rounds out the meal.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Total time: 25 minutes
    The eggs are cooked by the hot pasta and water to form a creamy sauce without the cream.  The classic Italian dish uses pancetta, but regular bacon or Prosciutto will work equally well.

 Ingredients:

• 4oz (120gr) spaghetti   about 1 1/4" (3cm) diameter bunch
• 4oz (120gr) pancetta   substitute bacon or Prosciutto
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (2oz, 60gr) plus more for sprinkling

 Instructions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. 
• Slice pancetta or bacon into julienne strips. 
• Grate Parmesan.
• In medium bowl whisk eggs well. 
• Add Parmesan and whisk.
• When pasta is half cooked: 
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.  Add pancetta and sauté until crisp. 
• When pasta is done:
• Drain, reserving 1/2 or all of the cooking water.  (We only want 2 tbs, but we want it boiling hot.) 
• Immediately put pasta into skillet with pancetta and toss well. 
• Slowly pour 2 tbs of hot pasta water into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. 
• Pour egg mixture over pasta, tossing well.  (Use tongs). 
• Toss in skillet 1 minute, to heat through, then quickly put into warm bowl. 
• Serve immediately with a bit more Parmesan for sprinkling.

Note: if pancetta is brown before pasta is ready, remove from heat, but make certain to have pancetta and pan hot again before draining pasta. 

Note 2: The addition of the hot water to the eggs is to 'temper' them, so they become a creamy sauce rather than scrambled eggs. If you heat in the skillet too long, however, they will still end up like scrambled eggs.

Fresh Fruit

Your choice

Cooking Schedule: 25 minutes for menu Assemble all ingredients and utensils Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, pasta pot and colander, large skillet, medium bowl, whisk, grater, tongs Put water for pasta on high heat      Wait for it to boil When boiling, start to cook pasta Chop pancetta

Grate Parmesan Sauté pancetta Whisk eggs Add Parmesan to eggs, whisk When pasta is done, drain, reserving water Add pasta to skillet, toss to combine Slowly add 2 tbs hot water to eggs, whisking Add eggs to pasta in skillet, toss 1 minute Serve, don't forget the fruit...

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By Katie Zeller

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