Spaghetti Carbonara

This dish is another of my family’s favourites.  They like it because it tastes good, I like it because it’s so quick to make.

This dish has to be served right away, also do not add the sauce while the pot is on the stove, the mixture can quite easily turn into ” scrambled eggs “

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 4 eggs
• ½ lb bacon, cut into ½-inch dice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley, ( if not available, substitute for 1 tablespoon dry italian herbs )
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste ( for those who like it spicy, 1 tsp chili pepper flakes )
• ¾ cup freshly grated pecorino-romano cheese (parmesan may be substituted)

Preparation:

1. Fill a large soup pot with cold water and add a handful or so of  salt. Stir and taste; it should taste like seawater. Cover the pot and heat the water until it boils.
2. Add the diced bacon to a cold sauté pan and cook slowly over a low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.
3. Add the olive oil to pan and sautee the garlic, do not burn
4. Drop the spaghetti into the boiling salted water and cook according to package instructions, about 6 to 9 minutes or until al dente, or tender but still firm to the bite.
5. While the pasta cooks, combine the eggs, cheese, cream and spices in a bowl and beat with a whisk until completely mixed.
6. Drain pasta, toss with the egg and cream mixture, then add the cooked bacon and garlic. Serve right away, with additional grated cheese.

French Baguette

Who isn’t enticed by the smell of fresh bread baking?  When I’ve got the time, I like to bake bread. Using my bread machine for the dough making, makes the process so much quicker.  While the dough is being made, I can go about my other household chores….. or relax and read a book!

Here’s the recipe I’d like to share, it will make 2 small baguettes.  I bought a baguette pan to bake the loaves in.  It is just as easy to free form them though.  Another thing I like to do is bake them on a pizza stone.  It makes for a crispier crust.

If you like a flavoured loaf you can add garlic salt instead of salt, or add some fresh garlic.  I also like to add 1 tablespoon of italian seasoning and 1 tsp of chili pepper flakes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 3/4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Directions

1. Place 1 cup water, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle, and press Start.

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3. When the cycle has completed, punch down dough. Divide dough in half, 0n a lightly floured surface, roll each into an 8×12 rectangle.  Roll each piece of dough up tightly, starting at the 12 inch side.  Squeeze out any air bubbles along the way.  Roll gently back and forth to taper end. Place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix 1/2  tsp salt with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Bananas Foster

This has got to be the best dessert ever!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  Make sure the bananas you are using are not over ripe.

Yield: 2

Ingredients

• 2 ripe banana, peeled, and, halved, lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 2 ounces dark rum
• vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. Cut bananas in half lengthwise; set aside.
2. In skillet or chafing dish, melt butter over medium heat; stir in sugar until melted. Add bananas, cut side down; cook, turning once, for about 3 minutes or until just barely tender. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Pour rum, over bananas, shaking pan to distribute liquid. Averting face, ignite with long wooden match. Using long handled spoon baste bananas with flaming sauce until the flames subside.
4. Serve immediately with ice cream.

Important

If you are increasing the amounts in the recipe, do not increase the rum.

Enjoy!