Pasta Carbonara

I have to say that this would have to be one of my kid's favourite pasta dishes - mine too! They love the flavour. I love the quickness not to mention how easy it is to make.

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So while Noel and I had decided on having Fettucine with Creamy Spinach, Pinenuts and Sultanas for dinner Alex requested Pasta Carbonara. Now we don't normally cook two seperate dinners unless of course we are planning on having something too hot and spicy for their little tastebuds but as I said their request was an easy one so I gave in plus they helped too.

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Pasta Carbonara

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Serves: 4 Large

6 Regular

Points per serve: Large 8.5

Regular 5.5

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250g spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)

3 rashers of bacon, fat trimmed and sliced

2 shallots, sliced

1 tsp crushed garlic

2 eggs, lightly beaten

30g parmesan, finely grated
3/4 cup light cream

salt and pepper to taste

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Boil a large saucepan of water and add pasta. Cook until just al dente (do not overcook). Drain, rinse and return to pan. Boil a kettle full of water and pour over pasta allowing it to sit - do not put it back on to cook.

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In a bowl mix eggs, parmesan and cream together. Season with salt and pepper.

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Coat a large non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and add bacon, garlic and shallots. Cook until bacon is brown and crispy.
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Drain pasta and add to bacon mixture. Toss in pan to mix with bacon mixture and evaporate any excess water.
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Turn off stove and add egg mixture to pan. Stir through to mix and ensure properly combined. The heat off the pasta will cook the sauce.
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Serve immediately.
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Please do not use the processed parmesan powder in a can as it will not help the flavour of this dish at all. We always keep a wedge of parmesan in the fridge and to be honest, we don't even buy the canned cheese powder. Oliver is actually grating some parmesan onto his meal. You don't need to have a fancy hand grater like we have, shavings work well too and can be achieved just by using a vegetable peeler.

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As you can see the diners were very happy and enjoyed their meals.