$5 Friday: Spaghetti carbonara

Growing up spaghetti carbonara was one of my Dad’s favourites. I should qualify this and say that growing up, after he and my mum divorced, this was one of the meals that he could actually cook. He taught my sister and I how to cook it, so when we visited on school holidays we would cook it. Often we would cook a lot of it.

Perhaps for that reason, I haven’t made this in a long time. Perhaps because I ate too much of it growing up, or because of the perception that it is fattening. Well apparently the enemy is sugar now rather than pork fat, eggs, cheese and cream but like most things, everything in moderation.

On the subject of ingredients, good quality eggs really make this dish. I am lucky that my partner gives me farm laid eggs from his parent’s property. (I am no longer allowed to refer to him as my new boyfriend – three months yesterday but he has practically moved in so he has a point!) Some type of smoky pork is also essential – I used smoked pork hock, which I purchased on special from ALDI. I use cream because I like the texture. The try Italian way, as confirmed by an Italian friend at work, is to only use eggs – but you have to be very efficient because the eggs set quickly.

Absolutely essential, however, is generous grindings of fresh black pepper. Not white pepper, or fancy pepper, but rather black pepper. Some people say that this dish got its name from the coal miners who used to enjoy eating this dish. Whatever the origin, a bit of pepper will give this dish a real kick.

Ingredients

400g spaghetti
1 slurp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
100g smoked pork hock or bacon
3 eggs
100ml of cream
Parmesan or a similar hard cheese – be as generous as you can
Salt
Black pepper
Parsley for serving – optional

Method

1. Cook the spaghetti in boiling water until al dente.
2. In the meantime, chop the pork hock or bacon into small pieces and fry with the olive oil.  After a minute or so add the garlic.  Fry until the pork is crispy and set aside.
3. Beat the eggs and the cream together.  Add the salt, and when cool add the pork hock or bacon as well.
4. Grate the cheese finely and set aside.
5. Drain the spaghetti.  Transfer to a large saucepan, and while still hot, immediately pour over the egg and cream mixture.  Stir with tongs, then add some cheese, and continue to cook until the egg mixture has set.  Grind on the black pepper, deck with parsley and serve while hot.

Cost (based on ALDI prices):

Spaghetti – 70c
Olive oil – 10c
Garlic – 10c
Pork hock – 80c
Eggs – 90c
Cream – 25c
Parmesan cheese -50c
Salt and pepper – 10c
Parsley – homegrown

Cost: $3.45