Michael Symon Carbonara Ish Recipes

BUCATINI ALLA CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick together.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium high heat and add the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the guanciale and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. When the guanciale is almost completely crispy, carefully add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and scrape all of the tasty bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Whisk together the egg whites in a medium bowl until they start to get frothy. Add lots of pepper, the parsley, extra-virgin olive oil and Parmesan. Pour over the guanciale in the skillet, stirring vigorously to incorporate but not scrambling the eggs.
• When the bucatini is al dente, remove it from the water and toss with the sauce until well coated.
• Divide the pasta into 2 bowls, top each one with an egg yolk and serve immediately, letting your family or guest mix in the yolk at the table for that extra decadence!

CARBONARA-ISH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the pasta and occasionally give it a stir so it doesn't stick together. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium high-heat. Add the cured meat and cook until it begins to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. When the meat is almost completely crispy, carefully add 1/2 cup of the pasta water and, using a wooden spoon, scrape all of the tasty bits off the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat. (If you would like to add a mix-in like peas or asparagus, add it here.)
• Whisk together the eggs in a small bowl until they are smooth. Add the Parmesan, parsley, the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil, lots of pepper and a pinch of salt. Add the egg mixture to the meat, stirring vigorously to incorporate without scrambling the eggs.
• Remove the pasta from the water and toss it with the sauce, making sure to coat the noodles well. Add more Parmesan if desired, stirring the pasta vigorously. If the pasta begins to seize up, add another splash of pasta water to loosen it.
• Divide the pasta into 4 bowls, topping each one with additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.