CARBONARA ANYTHING

For the Babish Carbonara

Fill a 12-inch high-walled skillet ⅔ of the way full with water. Add salt and bring the water to a boil.

Meanwhile, add the guanciale to a cold 12-inch cast iron pan. Begin heating the pan over medium heat, stirring the meat periodically to ensure evening browning. Cook the guanciale for 4-5 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked and the fat is thoroughly rendered.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (according to the box instructions). Reserve 1 ½ cups of the pasta looking liquid, then strain the pasta and place it back into the now empty high-walled skillet. If the guanciale is still cooking, add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pasta to prevent it from sticking, then cover the skillet with a lid to keep the pasta warm.

Once the guaciale is cooked, spoon out about ¼ cup of the rendered fat into a heat-proof bowl, preferably with a pourable spout.

Combine the cheese and egg yolks in a high-powered blender. With the blender running, stream ½ cup of the still-warm pasta cooking water into the egg mixture, followed by the ¼ cup of rendered fat. Optionally, add one peice of the cooked guaciale to the blender for added meaty flavor. Blend the mixture for 10-15 seconds longer or until the sauce is homogenous and glossy.

Add the cooked pasta to the cast iron skillet containing the cooked guaciale (and remaining rendered fat). Add the remaining 1 cup of pasta cooking water and cook the mixture over low heat while stirring with metal tongs.

Turn off the heat and slowly add the egg mixture straight from the blender to the pasta will stirring with metal tongs.

Season the pasta to taste with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

For the Vegan Carbonara

Add the olive oil to a 12-inch cast iron pan and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and cook for 12-15 minutes or until well browned and crispy. Make sure the stir the mushrooms periodically to ensure even cooking and browning.

Meanwhile, fill a 12-inch high-walled skillet ⅔ of the way full with water. Add salt and bring the water to a boil.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (according to the box instructions). Reserve 1 ½ cups of the pasta looking liquid, then strain the pasta and place it back into the now empty high-walled skillet. If the mushrooms are still cooking, add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pasta to prevent it from sticking, then cover the skillet with a lid to keep the pasta warm.

Once the mushrooms are cooked, spoon out about ¼ cup of the mushroom-infused oil into a heat-proof bowl, preferably with a pourable spout.

Combine the miso, nutritional yeast, and egg replacement in a high-powered blender. With the blender running, stream ½ cup of the still-warm pasta cooking water into the egg mixture, followed by the ¼ cup of olive oil. Blend the mixture for 10-15 seconds longer or until the sauce is homogenous and glossy.

Season the cooked mushrooms with smoked paprika and stir to combine. Cook the mixture for 30 seconds over low heat.

Add the cooked pasta to the cast iron skillet containing the mushrooms and remaining oil). Add the remaining 1 cup of pasta cooking water and cook the mixture over low heat while stirring with metal tongs.

Turn off the heat and slowly add the faux egg mixture straight from the blender to the pasta will stirring with metal tongs.

Season the pasta to taste with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

For the Maconara

Fill a 12-inch high-walled skillet ⅔ of the way full with water. Add the salt and bring the water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Meanwhile, add the bacon to a cold 12-inch cast iron pan. Begin heating the pan over medium heat, stirring the meat periodically to ensure evening browning. Cook the guanciale for 4-5 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked and the fat is thoroughly rendered.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (according to the box instructions). Reserve 1 ½ cups of the pasta looking liquid, then strain the pasta and place it back into the now empty high-walled skillet. If the bacon is still cooking, add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pasta to prevent it from sticking, then cover the skillet with a lid to keep the pasta warm.

Once the bacon is cooked, spoon out about ¼ cup of the rendered fat into a heat-proof bowl, preferably with a pourable spout.

Combine 4 ounces of aged cheddar cheese, egg yolks, garlic, mustard, and hot sauce in a high-powered blender. With the blender running, stream ½ cup of the still-warm pasta cooking water into the egg mixture, followed by the ¼ cup of rendered fat. Blend the mixture for 10-15 seconds longer or until the sauce is homogenous and glossy.

Add the cooked pasta to the cast iron skillet containing the cooked bacon (and remaining rendered fat). Add the remaining 1 cup of pasta cooking water and cook the mixture over low heat while stirring with metal tongs.

Turn off the heat and slowly add the egg mixture straight from the blender to the pasta will stirring with metal tongs.

Turn off the heat and transfer the pasta to a large heat-proof bowl. Allow the pasta to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, combine the panko breadcrumbs, aged cheddar, white cheddar, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. Toss to thoroughly combine, then reserve until ready to use.

Add the remaining aged cheddar to the bowl containing the slightly cooled pasta, along with the pickled jalapenos. Fold to thoroughly disptribute the unmelted cheese and jalapenos, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Return the pasta to the cast iron skillet, top with the prepared breadcrumbs, and gently flatten the surface.

Tranfer the cast iron skillet the oven and bake the Maconara for 20-25 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are well toasted and the sauce is bubbling.

Allow the pasta to cool for 5 minutes, then serve immediately.