When cooked properly cheeks can fall apart and be even more tender than slow cooked shoulder, or when cured, diced and pan fried, make a great alternative to bacon, and when used for Spaghetti Carbonara nothing is better!
That’s exactly how I concluded my day with a very simple, delicious Spaghetti Carbonara with guanciale.
All you really need for a great Carbonara is Spaghetti cooked al dente of course, Egg yokes buy free range organic, Salt & Pepper, some proper Guanciale (or bacon/panchetta if you can't find guanciale) and as much Parmigiano-Reggiano as you like...I perfer a good deal of Parmesan in my Carbonara.
as the spaghetti is cooking.
Cut the meat into cubes, fry until crisp 4-5min.
Drain off the fat.
Grate the Parmesan into a mixing bowl, beat 2 egg yokes in a seperate bowl, add the Salt & Pepper.
When the spaghetti is cooked to your liking, drain and put back in the pot.
Add the egg yokes to the parmesan and mix well, pour the mixture over the hot spaghetti and toss to coat the pasta.
Toss in the Guanciale, check the seasoning. and serve!
The eggs and cheese make a great creamy sauce and the sweet, salty, crispy pork contrast beautifully with the tender pasta, a little kick from the pepper and what else could you ask for...a cold beer perhaps? Perfect quick dinner, and exellent end to my Porktastic adventure.
Spaghetti Carbonara is a very simple, inexpensive and quick dish to make. Its a comforting dish when you need it, and faster that take-out. Give it a go!
Cheers!
