Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Summer Pasta



Here’s a quick summer pasta recipe that is as spectacular as it is easy. I threw this together last night and I really don’t know what to call it. It’s sort of a combination of Carbonara and Amitriciana. Traditionally, Carbonara or Amitriciana would be served with spaghetti, but I used penne rigate and it was fantastic. Honestly, this would go well on just about any non-filled pasta.

Patrick’s Summer Pasta

1 lb dry Pasta
1 TBSP Olive Oil
4 strips bacon or pancetta (cut into bite sized pieces)
½ onion (diced)
1 large homegrown tomato (chopped)
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
3 egg yolks (lightly whisked)
2 TBSP heavy cream or water
¼ cup loosely packed fresh basil and parsley

Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box. As the pasta is cooking you can start on the sauce. On medium heat add olive oil to a large sauté pan. Add the bacon or pancetta to the pan and let it render. You are looking for crispy bacon pieces. Halfway through the cooking of the bacon, add the onions to the sauté pan. Toss in the crushed red pepper flakes and once the bacon is thoroughly crispy, drain the pan of most of the bacon grease and set aside.

Once the pasta is cooked, set it in a colander to drain. DO NOT run cold water on the pasta or even shake the colander. You want to retain some of the pasta water on the noodles as it will impart extra starch that will help thicken your sauce.

Pour the drained cooked pasta into the sauté pan and return to medium heat. Pour the whisked egg yolks over the pasta and add the grated parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add the chopped tomatoes. Cook for NO MORE that one minute. You just want to make sure the yolks are up to temperature. After taking the dish off the heat, add the chopped herbs and mix again.

Place in a large bowl and serve immediately. Offer additional fresh grated parmesan or romano cheese as a condiment.
Serves 4-5 people, unless Steven is one of those people, then it only serves 3

Dinner in 15 minutes, what could be better than that?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, this sounds wonderful! I am going to pass this on to John, as he and Charles are major pasta fans (and he needs a reminder to check out your wonderful blog again). :) - Mickey-do

"Patrick's summer pasta... Ghghghghghghghgh..." (Insert Homer-esque drooling noises here.)

northwest princess said...

Hey this dish looks like it would be great as a side dish to grilled salmon. I am looking for recipes to serve my sister, who is coming to visit(she is the one, of my siblings, who calls and visits).
Got any recipes for polenta.

Love those easy summer recipes.