Ham and Asiago ‘Carbonara’

Ingredients:

1 Package of Pasta

1 Whole Egg

3 Egg Yolks

4.5oz Asiago (shredded)

150g Ham (high fat butcher ham preferred)

2-3Tbsp Butter

4oz Pasta Water

Black Pepper (healthy dose)

Salt

MSG (optional)

Note: If you are here from the dinner plans, this will use the rest of your asiago block for the week.

Time Breakdown:

Total: 20 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Prep: 10 minutes

Method:

  1. Shred Asiago. Slice ham into small pieces.

  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Only use enough water to barely cover your pasta once it is added to the pot.

  3. Separate yolks from the eggs. Add yolks and full egg to a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Add asiago, black pepper, and MSG if you are using it.

  4. Add Pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions.

  5. Put a medium sized pan over medium-high heat. Fry the ham until it starts to brown and curl up. Remove ham from the pan. Add butter to pan to melt.

  6. As soon as pasta is done, take 4 oz of the starchy water and set aside. Remove noodles and put them in the pan with the butter and any ham fat to coat.

  7. Add hot coated noodles to bowl with eggs and asiago. Slowly pour in pasta water while stirring vigorously. Sauce should thicken after about 3 minutes of rapid stirring.

  8. Stir in ham and serve.