Another night for pantry cooking. If you’ve been playing along and have a well-stocked pantry, the only thing you’ll need to buy to make tonight’s recipe is bacon or pancetta, and chances are, you just may have some on hand. I happened to have some leftover from Saturday night’s Colcannon, so I was set.
Tonight’s recipe is a bit unusual. Cinnamon Pancetta Carbonara is a riff on the more traditional Spaghetti Carbonara with a little extra subtle flavor coming from the addition of the cinnamon. The recipe originally comes from Giada DeLaurentiis
I’ve found, because of the addition of cinnamon, people either love it or hate it, so I wouldn’t suggest making it for company. The Husband happens to love it, along with me, but my Dad didn’t. Mom was on the fence. But don’t let that scare you awar. Do try it. You just may surprise yourself. Brave enough to take it for a whirl? You can find the recipe right here.
And with the cinnamon and chives, this is the perfect submission for the upcoming Weekend Herb Blogging, this time hosted by Thyme for Cooking.
Until tomorrow…
A year ago today… one degree of separation from Martha Stewart.
Two years ago today… mmmm, love those.
P.S. Don’t forget to join in the fun for tomorrow’s ARF/5-A-Day round-up.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
You know I love that pasta dish — it’s amazing how something so quick and easy tastes that good. However, I’ve always left the cinnamon out. Maybe next time I’ll be brave and put it in.
I’ve had cinnamon in a tomato-based sauce at a Greek restaurant but wouldn’t have thought to put it into this.
I’m intrigued. I put nutmeg in most white sauces, so I’m going to try this.
Anything that rates an OMG status goes on my list!
I saw that pasta dish on her show but I was always too chicken to try it…I always wondering how cinnamony (is that a word?!) it was…does the cinnamon just give the sauce a little something like Katie said about the nutmeg or can you really taste the cinnamon? Thanks, erin
Alisha – Isn’t it fabulous? Rich and creamy and oh so good. I always forget how much I like it, until we have it again. Definitely an OMG. G’on, be brave … and just go for it.
Katie – hope you go for it. That tomato-based sauce with cinnamon sounds interesting – will have to look for one. I promise, you won’t go wrong with Cinnamon Pancetta Carbonara.
Erin – It is really very faint, in the background. Maybe work yourself up to it. Try the recipe once without out, and then again with half of the amount. It’s such a small amount to begin with. Report back if you take the plunge. :)
Hi Cate, thanks for your comment on my blog! I absolutely love pantry cooking and need some more ideas for simple recipes to have on hand. I will definitely be keeping an eye on your blog and hope you will post more pantry cooking recipes. I’ll also have to give the cinnamon pasta dish a try, I even think I have all of the ingredients on hand!
Well I ma going to have to try a recipe that got elevated to OMG status.
Carbonera was always one of my most favorites- my mom used to make it for me, and then later for my husband, as a special birthday supper. I’ve used cinnamon in greek dishes, (MMMMM, pastisio, which I guess, come to think of it, isn’t too far from carbonera- both are sort of creamy) but never thought about it for anything else. I definietly will have to try this
I had a recipe by Oliver Jamie yesterday a chicken with cinnamon, and yes I agree with you, it adds a very special note to the dish. So yours on my list too!! :)
It does sound interesting. I like the idea! My sister is allergic to cinnamon, poor thing.