C and I took an incredible trip to Italy last year, making our way through much of beautiful Tuscany. We were stunned by the rich history and the art but also, of course, the food! Rome left an indelible mark in our hearts' memory with what is arguably the king (or cween) of all pastas: pasta carbonara. The dichotomy of the dish lies in its simple ingredients (pasta, cheese, bacon and black pepper, if you're a rebel) plus the crucial combination of timing and chemistry to avoid an unappealing egg scramble and divine a sauce so silky and smooth you could cry. After much research, my first attempt was a success. I have since repeated it 3 times just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Because, you know... science.
Before
A trip to the Tigard farmers market this morning paid off with a half flat of super sweet strawberries. Their sweetness sealed their fate to be married to tart rhubarb in a pie. In a few hours they will be joined by the best man, a butter crust, and the maid of honor, vanilla ice cream, and Tom and I will hold the wedding party of their (short) lives for the lot of them in our mouths and stomachs.
As soon as Joe sees this he will request I make it as well! Looks perfect and delicious.
ReplyDeleteLove well done carbonara. Another staple of Italy that is considered Italian Soul Food is cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta). It's a simple dish but hard to get just right.
ReplyDeleteI'll trade you sticky buns for carbonara
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