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Menu Plan for Winter II: Week 13, Sunday

Pasta with Bacon and Leeks
Fresh Fruit

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

          I'm so glad that I decided Sundays could be 'decadent food days' occasionally. That way I can make some of these wonderful dishes and know it's the 'exception' rather than the 'rule'! We'll finish with some nice fruit - our nod to healthy eating!

Pasta with Bacon and Leeks

Total time: 25 minutes
    This is my answer to the much more decadent Fettuccini Alfredo and a variation on Spaghetti Carbonara.  Leeks are best in this, as they are mild, but you could substitute 2 onions, just sauté them until very tender and starting to brown.

 Ingredients:

• 4 medium leeks - about 1 1/2" diameter (3.5cm) each
• 3oz (90gr) bacon, strips, streaky bacon
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup (3oz, 90gr) Greek yogurt, crème fraiche or sour cream
• 3/4 cup (3oz, 90gr) freshly grated Parmesan plus a bit extra for sprinkling at table
• 8oz (240gr) fresh pasta, fettuccini, tagliatelle or spaghetti
• or 4oz (120gr) dry spaghetti or fettuccini

 Instructions

• Pasta: 
• Cook pasta according to package directions. 
• Sauce: 
• Clean leeks and slice 1/4" (.75cm) thick, using up to the dark green.  
• Sauté bacon in a large nonstick skillet until crisp. 
• Remove and set aside.  Pour off most of the bacon fat. 
• Add olive oil to skillet and scrape up any brown bits from the bacon. 
• Add leeks and sauté until very tender, about 10 minutes. 
• Crumble bacon and return to pan. 
• Whisk eggs, yogurt and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Finish:
• Drain pasta and quickly add to leeks. 
• Using tongs or 2 large forks, toss lightly to combine.
• Pour egg mixture over pasta and cook, stirring/tossing constantly, 1 - 2 minutes, until eggs are very, very lightly cooked (they'll finish from the heat of the pasta - if you cook too long the sauce will be crumbly rather than creamy).
• Immediately pour into a large serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and serve.

Note:  I used whole wheat pasta.

Fresh Fruit

Something seasonal

Cooking Schedule: 25 minutes for menu Assemble all ingredients and utensils Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, pot and colander for pasta, large skillet, medium bowl, whisk  Put water on high heat for pasta Note:  Fresh pasta cooks in 3 - 4 minutes            Dried pasta in 15 minutes        If using dried pasta don't start cooking until you        start the pasta Start to cook pasta if using dried Sauté bacon

Clean, slice leeks Remove bacon, drain excess fat Add oil, scrape pan Add leeks, sauté Grate Parmesan Whisk eggs, yogurt, cheese Start to cook fresh pasta Crumble bacon, add to leeks Drain pasta, add to leeks, bacon, toss well Pour eggs over, cook, stirring Pour into bowl, sprinkle with cheese Serve - don't forget the fruit!

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By Katie Zeller

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