Vegetarian Carbonara With Spinach Food

CLAIRE'S SPINACH CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat and salt generously.
• Put the bacon in a large high-sided skillet and cook over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and reserve bacon in the pan.
• When the bacon is about halfway cooked, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook about 4 minutes for fresh or according to the package instructions if using dried.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg and yolks, 1 cup cheese and pepper together in a small bowl.
• When the pasta is ready, return the skillet with the bacon to medium heat. Using a ladle, slowly whisk about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water into the egg and cheese mixture until loosened. Reserve some additional cooking water. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet.
• While tossing continually, slowly drizzle the egg mixture over the pasta until it is completely coated. Add more cooking water if pasta seems dry. Add the spinach leaves to the pan and toss until combined. Transfer the carbonara to a serving bowl and serve immediately with more cheese sprinkled over the top.

VEGAN CARBONARA

Steps:

• Boil the spaghetti for 10 mins or following pack instructions until al dente, reserving a little of the water. Put the cashews, bouillon and mustard in a bowl, then pour over 350ml boiling water.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the mushrooms and grated garlic, and stir-fry over a high heat until the mushrooms are cooked and starting to crisp up. Take off the heat, stir in the paprika, then tip onto a plate and set aside.
• Add the grated courgette to the pan and cook, stirring every now and then until softened. Meanwhile, whizz the soaked cashews, whole garlic clove and nutritional yeast flakes, if using, with a hand blender until completely smooth. Tip the mixture into the pan with the courgettes and briefly stir over the heat.
• Add the spaghetti and toss in the cashew and courgette mixture until well coated, then toss through the smoky mushrooms. If following the Healthy Diet Plan, serve half with half the spinach on the side, and chill the rest for another day. Will keep for three days. Reheat in a covered pan with a dash of water, and cook the remaining spinach to serve on the side.

PASTA CARBONARA WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat (or omit the butter and use a non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray) add in spinach and cook stirring until spinach wilts, remove to a bowl.
• Add in chopped bacon; cook until crisp (about 3 minutes) remove the bacon to the plate with the spinach; set aside (reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet).
• Add in onion to the drippings and cook for about 3 minutes or until softened.
• Add in garlic and chili flakes; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in wine and drained diced tomatoes; cook stirring over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, then remove the skillet from heat.
• Cook the spaghetti until al dente (omitting any salt and fat to the pot); Drain well then immediately add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet.
• Add in the spinach and bacon; stir well to combine, then place the skillet over low heat.
• In a small bowl combine the eggs with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; add to the pasta; cook over low heat tossing for 1-2 minutes.
• Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste and salt if desired.
• Remove from heat sprinkle the top with fresh parsley.
• Serve with more Parmesan cheese.