Raining pancetta!

I don't know about anyone else but I really want spring to pop up now-this weather is just depressing. Today has been gloomy and wet here-the poor ickle daffodils and crocuses are giving up-they look so bedraggled I want to give them a blanket! Probably not a good idea really....

As a complete contrast to these doldrums is today's quick and easy tea. 
It's a ray of sunshine and confort blanket in one.  And very easy!
My Dad is running is half marathon on Sunday and is insisting on carb loading... so today was pasta.

I picked up some fabulous local pancetta from Rode Hall Farmer's Market last Saturday which has been nagging me to use it.  (It's from Rushy Hey Farm-they are great people passionate about their Gloucester Old Spot pigs.  And really good quality! It you find it try the ham too-its great.)
So as I had a few eggs left over from my baking this week I decided on the classic- carbonara. (Have a great little farm I can get eggs from down the road.)

Controversial subject I know.
It is basically bacon and egg pasta with cheese.  I'm not keen on very creamy things so stick to traditional recipes (although this is debated!) with no cream or similar.

It's easy just to make up-takes the length of time to cook the pasta and you look great = amazing tea!
You can play around to make it 'perfect' but this is my quick version for when you can't be bothered!

Tomorrow's carb loading is rissotto....

Carbonara Laura Style

Wholewheat spaghetti- 75g per person (I'd never seen this before I found it this week in waitrose and had to try it-always like wholewheat versions better.)
Eggs - 1 per person
Parmesan- about 20g per person plus more to serve.
Pancetta -  I used about 100g for 3 (I was using slices today and like these because it means you get more little bits than lardons).
Salt and black pepper

Put the spaghetti on to cook.
While the spaghetti is cooking chop the pancetta (use scissors-makes it quick & less messy!)
Put pancetta in a frying pan (non stick=easy life!) and cooked over a medium heat so the fat starts to melt.
Beat the eggs in a small bowl, mix in the cheese and season. Be very generous with the black pepper!
When the spagetti is cooked drain, reserving some of the pasta water in a bowl.
Add spagetti to the frying pan and mix/toss the pancetta through.
Turn off the heat.
Add the egg mixture and mix again to coat. The past and pan heat cook the eggs enough!
Add a splash of the pasta water and mix to a creamy sauce.

Eat and feel great it's only taken you 10 minutes.

So... its past midnight and I'm still awake-much to my annoyance!  Busy day tomorrow and really do not have time for this insomnia lark...

But in the mean time I'll chatter away here.

Might as well share my favorite stand by almost instant tea recipe.
Well I say recipe...there are no measures really and its sort of adapted to what's in the fridge and that dreaded phrase...needs using up! That phrase gets uttered so much I find.

But at least the stuff is used and not wasted-hate wasting food, it seems so fruitless. 
I don't know about anyone else but I always feel so guilty if things go mouldy/I'm throwing things away!! I am a bit strange there.

Anyway I digress... (you'll find I have a tendency to do that :-) )

So back to: 

Magic Smoked salmon pasta

Its magic as its sooo easy and happens without you doing anything really.

Ingredients:

1 pack smoked salmon trimmings about 90g I think(i get them from sainsburys) - don't use smoked salmon slices cut up just doesn't work as well-they dont make a salmon paste like the trimmings when mixed with yogurt

1 small pot natural yogurt (150g)- yeo valley in my case, I just like their yogurt.

Optional: Cherry tomatoes, spring onions, capers, what ever else you have lying around!
Salt, pepper (to taste), 
1/2tsp paprika, 
pinch cayenne pepper
squeeze lemon juice (fine without this-I just often have half lemons lying around)
Enough pasta for number of people-enough for 4 or 2 who like more sauce (me!)

Method

Cook pasta
Chop toms into quarters
Mix everything together-season to taste.
Yep that's it-twiddle thumbs while pasta cooks
Drain pasta and mix with the sauce (dump it all in drained saucepan)
Eat and bask amazement of quite where that delicious meal came from!
 
Ive added stir fried cabbage, broccoli, sweetcorn, peas, broad beans and what ever other veg is in season/going mad in the garden.

Anyway no pics as I wasn't really thinking of writing about it!
Right off to try sleep again-wish me luck...
 
xxx
 

Hello

This will be random and quirky and a little bit mad. But that's me on a plate! I love new things, places oh and cooking and baking. 

OK so I'm a bit obsessed with the last few.

I'll (hopefully!) post my random discoveries, ideas, musings, recipes and what ever else I find.

And no I don't expect anyone to want to read it - purely self indulgent nonsense!