Pasta alla Carbonara
Serves 4-6.1 lb. pasta
4 eggs
1 cup grating cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino-Romano, etc)
8 slices bacon
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Crushed red pepper to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Cook pasta to package directions. Continue with the following directions while pasta is cooking. Place serving bowl in oven at 200 °F to warm. Beat eggs and mix in grating cheese. Set aside. Slice bacon into half-inch wide strips. Fry bacon and red pepper in skillet over medium heat until bacon is crispy. Add heavy whipping cream to skillet. When cream begins to simmer, turn off heat. When pasta is ready, drain and place in serving bowl. Add egg and cheese mixture while pasta is still hot. Stir once or twice. Add bacon and cream mixture to pasta. Stir a few times. Add black pepper to pasta and stir it again. Serve immediately with an extra sprinkling of grating cheese. Best served with red wine.
Variations: Substitute crumbled Italian sausage for bacon.