Pasta Carbonara

We had a low-key Valentine's evening here. We had been in Oklahoma for the weekend visiting our friends Wade and Bri, and didn't get back to KC until late afternoon. We had plans to go to comedy that night, but it started snowing, and it was cold, and we were tired, and the couch was much more appealing. So we decided to just stay in and cook.

I first got inspiration from this recipe from Pioneer Woman, and had every intention of following her recipe to the T, but I didn't have the list of ingredients quite right in my head when I went to the grocery store. (Gasp, I went to the store without a list! Very uncharacteristic of me.) So I had to change it up a bit based on what I had. I will try PW's version someday, because everything I try of hers is delicious. But my version didn't turn out too shabby either! Here it is...

Pasta Carbonara

You will need:

• 1 lb. fettucine noodles
• 
  1 pkg. of bacon (I used turkey bacon, which comes in 12 oz. packages)
• 5-6 cloves of garlic
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan (I used freshly grated- yum)
• 1/2 stick butter
• Fresh or dried parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook fettucine noodles as directed on the package.

Chop up into small pieces. Throw in a large skillet and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan. You want to keep the grease in there for the next step.

Chop the cloves of garlic, and throw them in the pan with the bacon grease. Saute the garlic for a minute or two... be careful not to overcook it. I turned it off once the garlic aroma really started coming out.

In a medium bowl, beat eggs and cream until well blended. Stir in grated parmesan.
By this point your noodles should be done. Drain them and return them to the pot. Throw in the egg/cream/cheese mixture, the bacon, butter, some parsley, and some freshly ground black pepper. Toss this for a good while until it's all melded together and delicious looking.

That's it! It's so simple and so delicious. Enjoy!

Breakfast Sandwiches

I wish I could say I thought of this brilliant idea on my own, but unfortunately, I can't take credit. I also can't remember where I saw the idea first, so I can't give credit either...

Anyway, these are a little time-consuming to make, but you can make a bunch at a time and then have an easy breakfast for weeks. Totally worth it! I made 18 sandwiches this last time, but you can make however many you want (or however many your freezer will hold!)

(Tip: If you can get your husband to help you with this process, you can get a nice little assembly line going and it will speed things right along!)

Step 1: Bread
Toast english muffins (I use the 100% whole wheat ones). I just split them open and put them under the broiler for a few minutes until they are toasty!

Step 2: Cheese
Put one slice (or half a slice) of cheese on the bottom half of each muffin (I use 2% american).

Step 3: Egg
Crack one egg into a nonstick pan, sprinkle some salt and pepper on it, and use a spatula to sort of scoot it towards the side of the pan in order to keep it in a small contained space, so that the final product will fit on the english muffin. Turn the egg over, break the yolk, and again, keep it a good size using the spatula. Once cooked, put the egg on top of the cheese.

Alternative Option for Egg (easier option): Spray a microwave-safe mug or cup with cooking spray (I use my 1-cup glass Pyrex measuring cup).  Crack one egg and scramble, or use Egg Beaters (or other egg substitute).  Microwave until done (usually about 1 minute in my microwave). 

Step 4: Meat
I've done this with turkey bacon and canadian bacon. Both are delicious. You could also use ham, or sausage, or no meat at all. Whatever floats your boat. Cook the meat as directed, put the meat on top of the egg, and put the "lid" of the english muffin on top.

Step 5: Package/Freeze
Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap. Slide the sandwiches into a freezer bag, and freeze until ready to eat.

Step 6: Eat
Unwrap sandwich from the plastic, and heat in the microwave until heated through. In my microwave, I've found that wrapping it in a paper towel and microwaving for 1 1/2- 2 minutes is about right.

Delicious!!