Food Wine Sleep

Ingredients List

500 grams (1 lb) dry fettuccine
200 grams thin sliced prosciutto (chopped into thin strips across the grain)
2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
4 free range eggs
100 grams of fresh grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsps fresh chopped parsley
2 tbsps butter
Extra virgin olive oil
A splash of white wine
� cup of fresh cream (optional)
Sea salt flakes
Black pepper corn mill

Recipe Description

I was on the phone to my friend Trevor the other day back in Canada, and as well as the usual catching up on each others distant lives, we talked food for a bit. During this conversation Trevor asked me how to make fettuccine Carbonara, as he had attempted it the night before and ended up with as is often the case, fettuccine a'la scrambled eggs. I explained to him the trick was to toss the warmed pasta through the egg mix away from the stove and by doing so the heat of the pasta will warm the egg sauce enough to cook it but not actually scramble it. I was thankful for that conversation because it is a classic dish I hadn't made in ages and since that phone call I have rediscovered it and already eaten it twice in the last week, thanks Trev.

Method Description

The traditional recipe does not use cream but I like the extra richness it gives the sauce and it also acts as a bit of an insurance plan to ensure your eggs dont scramble.
Fill a large pot with salted water and put on to boil.
In a large fry pan over high heat saute the prosciutto and garlic in the butter and a splash of olive oil until the prosciutto is crispy and the garlic slightly golden.
Add a splash of white wine and reduce.
Season with a little cracked pepper then add the cream and reduce the heat to a simmer.
By now the water should be boiling, drop the pasta in and cook until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and add; approx half the parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley and whisk together.
Drain the pasta and immediately drop it into another large mixing bowl and add the cream and prosciutto sauce.
Pour the egg mix onto the pasta and carefully but thoroughly toss with a pair of tongs, taste for seasoning, up to this stage no salt has been added as the prosciutto and parmesan usually pack enough flavour for the whole dish.
Serve immediately with the remaining parmesan cheese to the side.