Cooking for DLS pt 4

Remember those Safe Eggs I posted about a while back? Ever since then, I’d had a hankering to make spaghetti alla carbonara. When I discovered DLS had never had it – didn’t even know what it was – I knew what I had to do.

Make spaghetti alla carbonara!  I picked up a package of already cubed pancetta from Trader Joe’s, and beat a few eggs with salt/pepper and cheese that isn’t in the picture (I used piave).  The matzoh crackers in the background are because I also made salted caramel chocolate covered matzoh sandwiches… yum.

While some of the eggs scrambled a teeny bit, I was super pleased with the end result, and I think I converted DLS into loving carbonara. Okay, that’s a lie, he doesn’t express that much emotion to say he loves any food – but I know he enjoyed it greatly.  So good, I was really happy with this.

The next morning, to use up the egg whites, I made Spam & eggs hash. It was also very good and well received… yum.

Spaghetti alla carbonara (yes I continue to not use measurements, sorry)

2 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, beaten with salt & pepper and grated cheese – I used Piave, which I thought wasn’t salty enough, so perhaps use romano, let’s say a quarter cup
1/2 package of spaghetti
4 ounces cubed pancetta
1 smashed clove of garlic

Heat skillet over medium heat; a turn or two of olive oil around the pan. Add pancetta and heat through along with garlic.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti. If you time it right, the pancetta/garlic should be all brown and happy just as the spaghetti is finishing cooking. Remove garlic and discard. Add the spaghetti to the pan using tongs or a pasta scoop (don’t drain), toss around to coat with the pancetta/oil.

Take the pan off the heat; move quickly now and add the egg/cheese mixture to the pasta, tossing quickly with tongs to coat. Once the egg mixture has ‘melted’/coated the pasta, check for consistency – if you want it a little creamier, add a bit of pasta cooking water and continue tossing to coat.

Serve with extra cheese if desired.

OMG, this was seriously so good I’m thinking about making more more now. And super easy too!

Spam & Egg hash

2 egg whites, 2 whole eggs, beaten with a bit of salt/pepper/Sriracha
bag of Trader Joe’s shredded potatoes/hash browns
Can of Spam with Cheese, cubed
Shredded cheddar cheese, optional

In a skillet over medium high heat, brown Spam with a little olive oil. Remove and set aside; add a layer of potatoes to the pan with more olive oil. Once the potatoes are crispy, add Spam back to the pan, heating through. Add egg mixture, scrambling once the eggs start to set. Add cheese, and toss again a bit, then serve (once eggs are set).

Nice additions, had I had them, would be fresh tomatoes as well… yum.  Or any vegetables you like (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, to name a few)… so good. The very background heat of Sriracha – I only used a touch – along with the meatiness of the Spam, the eggs, and the heartiness of the potatoes all added up to the perfect breakfast on a surprisingly chilly Saturday!

Yum!