Roman Carbonara Recipes

CARBONARA (GUANCIALE, EGG, AND PECORINO ROMANO)

Steps:

• Put the guanciale and oil in a large skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the edges of the guanciale pieces are just turning brown, about 2 minutes. Don't let it get too crisp. Set the pan and its contents aside but keep warm.
• Bring 5 quarts (5 liters) of water to a boil in an 8-quart (8-liter) pot over high heat. When the water boils, add 3 tablespoons kosher salt, then add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, break the eggs into a small bowl and add all the cheese and a generous grinding of pepper. Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth.
• Drain the pasta (reserving and keeping warm a cup of its water) and put it in the skillet with the guanciale over low heat. Toss quickly to mix well.
• Holding the skillet slightly above but not touching the burner, pour the egg and cheese mixture in a stream into the pasta. Now, if you have the skill, toss the pasta with a deft movement of the wrist to blend all the contents of the pan. If you don't, remove the pan from the heat and mix quickly with two wooden spoons. If you have a warm spot, such as a food warmer or even over a pilot light, rest the pan there while you work.
• Whatever you do, work fast or the pasta will get cold and the eggs will stay raw and runny. Ideally the heat of the pasta will cook the egg just enough, and the sauce should be creamy. You can mix in a tiny bit of the reserved water to smooth things out, but you probably won't need to.
• Transfer to individual heated bowls or plates and serve instantaneously.

ROMAN STYLE CARBONARA

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water on the stove to boil. While the water is boiling, cook the pancetta in a large pan over a high heat, stirring constantly until golden. Turn the heat down to a medium heat and add the garlic to the pan with the pancetta, stirring for a minute before turning the heat off.
• Add a good pinch of salt to the pot of boiling water and cook the pasta until al dente. Add the pasta straight to the pan and toss well. Add a ladle of the pasta water to the pan before adding the egg yolks one at a time, stirring through after each one. Add the parmesan cheese and a good helping of cracked black pepper, tossing through. If the pasta seems a little gluggy, add some more pasta water until glossy.
• Serve immediately with a good grating of parmesan.