carbonara
Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish hailing from Rome, traditionally made with eggs, hard cheese (usually Pecorino Romano), cured pork (guanciale), and black pepper. The "mental image" is a creamy, silky sauce created not by adding heavy cream, but by emulsifying the eggs and cheese with the heat of the freshly cooked pasta and a splash of starchy pasta water. In modern usage, carbonara is a staple of comfort food. While purists insist on using guanciale and avoiding cream at all costs, the term is often used broadly in casual conversation to describe any pasta dish featuring a creamy egg-based sauce. It is most commonly associated with spaghetti or rigatoni.
In conversation
Planning dinner
Do you want to grab Italian tonight? I'm craving carbonara.
Do you want to grab Italian tonight? I'm craving carbonara.
That sounds perfect, as long as they don't put peas in it!
That sounds perfect, as long as they don't put peas in it!
Carbonara is often the subject of debate regarding 'authentic' ingredients.
Cooking at home
Make sure to take the pan off the heat before adding the egg mixture.
Make sure to take the pan off the heat before adding the egg mixture.
Got it, I don't want to end up with scrambled eggs instead of sauce.
Got it, I don't want to end up with scrambled eggs instead of sauce.
The technique of tempering the eggs is crucial for a smooth texture.
Examples
I ordered the carbonara for dinner.
I ordered the carbonara for dinner.
Making a proper carbonara requires careful heat control to emulsify the eggs.
Making a proper carbonara requires careful heat control to emulsify the eggs.
Despite the culinary controversy, many home cooks add a splash of heavy cream to their carbonara for a richer consistency.
Despite the culinary controversy, many home cooks add a splash of heavy cream to their carbonara for a richer consistency.
