Pasta Carbonara

I came home this evening wanting to set the mood of a special occasion. Not because there is anything to celebrate. I simply had my fair share of simple meals. The last couple of weeks (if you haven’t noticed) I have been cooking very simple dinners.  That’s not to say they came from a box. They were more like -salmon, broccoli, and baked potato – kind of meals. Now before I go on, let me mention that there is NOTHING wrong with simple meals. I applaud people who take the time to make any meal at all, let alone one that doesn’t come right out of a box. If it’s simple, and you like it, you’ve accomplished something great! After all, food should be fun, EASY, and positively delicious.

As I thought of my meal plan for the week, I thought to myself – what better ingredient than bacon to make a night special? So there you have it. I created a meal which I’m sure most of you have heard of, with some bacon, peas, mushrooms, and sauteed onions. I guarantee, you will love this. It offers enough ingredients that it’s not your average pasta dish. It isn’t boring.

Ingredients
8 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
2 cups peas, fresh or frozen and thawed
1 small red onion, diced
6 oz fresh mushrooms (optional)
2 tbs butter
3 cloves garlic, pressed/smashed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup half and half cream
1 pint whipping cream
1 lb pasta
1 tsp olive oil
crushed black pepper
salt

Steps

1. Drizzle olive oil in a hot pan and toss in the bacon. Sautée bacon until it is crisp

2. Remove all the bacon from the pan, place it on a small plate, and toss in the onions and mushrooms. Sautée until mushrooms are golden brown and the onions are translucent then remove and place onto a separate plate
3. Bring a large pot of water filled 3/4 of the way to a boil. Once boiling, drizzle a bit of olive oil in the water and add pasta along a large pinch of salt
4. Drain the remaining bacon grease out of the pan, but use it to make an Alfredo Sauce by bringing bringing the butter, half-and-half, whipping cream, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper to a simmer. The taste of the bacon will be hinted throughout the sauce
5. Once the pasta is al dente drain it in a strainer and serve it on a pasta plate
6. Pour a desired amount of sauce over pasta and top with the onions, bacon and peas. Give pasta a light toss and serve hot