Pasta Carbonara is an Italian dish that has bacon, eggs and Parmesan cheese and black pepper and combined with a light olive oil and added to spaghetti or linguine. Scallops are tender and have a delicate flavor and go really well with the flavors that are in Pasta Carbonara. All of these flavors combine to make a tasty dish of Pasta Carbonara with Scallops.
I think sea scallops are a great choice for this dish. Sea scallops are the larger scallop and sear up nicely to a golden brown in the pan when seared in olive oil or butter. Sea scallops only require searing for about 2 minutes on each side to get a light golden brown color and still remain juicy and sweet.
After cooking the pasta and adding the ingredients if you find the pasta to need additional moistness then reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid and add it to the pasta after you add the egg and cheese. An alternative is to add 1/2 cup of light cream or half and half to the egg and cheese and then add to the pasta. .
If you want a quick and easy to make dish for your family or for guests Try This Recipe. It only takes about 30 minutes to make Pasta Carbonara with Scallops. I like the scallops but feel free to make it without scallops if you would prefer.
PASTA CARBONARA WITH SCALLOPS
Serves 4
Time to Make: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
12 large scallops
8 oz. spaghetti or linguine
2 eggs
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid or 1/2 cup half and half
8 slices bacon
4 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons scallions chopped
2 tablespoons parsley leaves
salt to taste, be careful because Parmesan cheese is salty and you may not need much salt.
freshly ground black pepper to taste. Traditionally pepper is a big part of this dish so be liberal if you like pepper.
additional Parmesan cheese for passing.
Cook pasta:
Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil.
When water is boiling add the spaghetti or linquine and 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Boil until pasta is done. Remove and drain pasta and add a 1 tablespoon olive oil to pasta.
While pasta is cooking:
1. In a bowl, mix eggs and Parmesan cheese and set aside.
2. In a skillet, fry bacon and cook until brown and crispy.
Stir in garlic and saute for 1 minute on low.
3. In a separate pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and when hot add scallops. Saute for 2 minutes on each side and remove pan from heat
Finishing the dish:
1. Quickly stir the egg/cheese mixture and bacon/garlic mixture into the hot pasta and stir until mixed. Add up to 1/2 cup cooking water or 1/2 cup half and half.
2. Place pasta mixture in a bowl or serving platter and top with green onions and sauteed scallops.
Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. Pass additional Parmesan cheese.
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