August 23, 2008

Mmm...Carbonara

I'm a sucker for pasta. Just love it. Maybe it's the runner in me that feels like my efforts are totally deserving of a big plate of carbs, but I just couldn't live a full life without it. Oh I tried once. I jumped on one of those diets that promised rapid weight loss for the small price of forsaking my beloved carbs. That lasted all of two weeks before I realized I had turned into the most cranky, tired, miserable person around. I didn't even want to be around me!

I soon decided that no amount of weight loss was worth cutting out an entire food group. Oh, and I quickly gained back all of the weight I had lost, so that even further increased my believe that the no-carb thing was not the way for me. Don't get me wrong, I totally have the utmost respect for those who have the willpower and resolve to keep with it and still remain sane. These people tempt me with their ability to wear skinny jeans without batting an eyelash or slip into a swimsuit anytime of the year. But then I look at a beautiful plate of pasta, like this one, and realize that it is mine without any kind of thought or guilt, and all no-carb temptation is quickly thrown out the window.

This pasta dish, which was the brain child of the always charming Jamie Oliver, is a carbonara with yellow and green zucchini. It was absolutely scrumptious. The sauce is rich, but not overly so, making it a perfect summer pasta. It was super simple to put together as well. The biggest problem is having a big enough pan to mix it all together in at the end. I only made half the recipe and needed every inch of my 4-qt saute pan. The only changes I made to the recipe, aside from halfing it, was to used dried thyme instead of fresh and to dump out about half the bacon grease that is produced in the pan before adding in the zucchini. Love the bacon grease, but it just seemed a bit overly glutenous. The velvety sauce, buttery pasta, and lovely veggies make this pasta an absolute keeper.

Sorry to all of my friends who can't partake. But you can rub it in my face when I'm attempting to zip up my jeans. :)

Please visit the link below for the recipe:

11 comments:

Bitten Sweets said...

"Mmm...Carbonara" is right. carbonara is my favorite (and yours looks fantastic)--when i was in Naples, Italy i ate it just about every time we went out.

Jenny said...

What a great blog you have. Just found you. I look forward to visiting often!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Bitten sweets - Oh how I would love to eat carbonara in Italy! The last time I came back from Italy they had to practically role me out of the plane!

Hi Jenny - Thanks so much! So glad you are enjoying my fun little project!

Tanya said...

That looks fabulous. I also just love pasta, especially with a white or cream sauce. YUM!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Thanks Tanya! It was yummy!

Emily said...

OH I hate diets. You can't have fun when you're skinny, cause you can't eat. And eating is fun!
In moderation.

I love carbonara...mmm, bacon.

Culinary Wannabe said...

I'm with you Emiline. Life without bacon would be sad indeed!

Aimée said...

I'm on the carb bandwagon 100% and if I wasn't, this pasta would have me running to jump on. Good old Jamie.

Ari (Baking and Books) said...

I could never give up carbs either. I'd rather run a little farther or do an extra session of kickboxing than give up pasta, bread or anything carb related! This pasta dish looks so tempting. I haven't had breakfast yet and would totally eat this at 10am.

Culinary Wannabe said...

I know what you mean Aimee - I have no willpower!

Ari - I think this would make a great breakfast! Well, I did just have a piece of leftover birthday cake myself. :)

Leslie said...

I too cant live without my carbs!
Thanks for your visit to my bog!!!
Sneezing is the best!!