Poor Man's Carbonara

Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

4 eggs, close to room temperature if possible
½ cup grated Parmesan
8 slices thick bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4  cups al-dente cooked pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, beat together the eggs and cheese; set aside.

In a large skillet, fry the bacon and onion together until the meat is browned and crispy and the onion has begun to caramelize.

Add the pasta (if using cold day-old pasta, cook until it's just warmed through, about 1 minute).

Pour the egg-and-cheese mixture into the skillet and reduce heat to low. Stir continuously until the pasta is coated with the eggs and they have begun to solidify. Do not overcook; the eggs will continue to cook with just the heat of the pasta.

Season with the salt and pepper, then serve immediately, with extra grated Parmesan on the side.


Notes

If the eggs are cold, they will need more time in the pan over heat. But be careful to pull off the heat just when they start to solidify, or you will end up with scrambled eggs.

Adapted from Cookie, April 2009


Tags: pastas