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This week on Hunger Trap - Nola Carbonara - was a quintessential example of "Southern Creole," taking a classic Italian favorite and adding traditional New Orleans flavors.
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Those of you who have been around a while know that I have coined the term "Southern Creole" as my style of cooking. If you are new, "Southern Creole" just means world food through a New Orleans lens.
Back in the day carbonara was known as a Roman-style hunter's dish because of its simplicity. It only requires five ingredients: guanciale (cured pig cheek), spaghetti, Parmesan, eggs and black pepper. By the time the pasta has finished cooking you're practically at the dinner table eating.
However, my New Orleans carbonara substitutes in tasso (a specialty cured ham often used in south Louisiana cuisine), spaghetti, Parmesan, onions, parsley, eggs and my savory seasoning. My version of the recipe is just as creamy as the traditional but kicks up the spice level with the addition of spicy tasso meat and blackening seasoning.
If you're looking for a quick dish to make for your family or a romantic evening this dish is perfect. Get some wine, set the mood with some good music and enjoy my Southern Creole take on this Italian classic.
New Orleans Carbonara Cooking Tips:
Under cook your pasta because it will continue to cook as you finish the sauce. Pasta water helps to create the creamy sauce texture. Eggs will cook from the residual heat of the pasta.
Can you make ahead?
This dish is best served immediately. Reheating this recipe will cook the eggs.
The eggs make the sauce. The heat from the cooked pasta, cooks the eggs to make them safe to eat and great a velvety sauce.
Substitution Options:
Use the pasta of your choice.
If you cannot find guanciale or tasso use your chopped pieces of your favorite sausage.
what to serve with New Orleans Carbonara?
Meal Ideas:
- Crawfish Fritters with Creole Cream Cheese Remoulade
- Turkey Tenderloin with Creamed Spinach and Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Salmon Piccata
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📖 Recipe
New Orleans Carbonara
Ingredients
- ½ lb. spaghetti pasta
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lbs. tasso or pancetta chopped
- ¼ onion chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup pecorino romano or parmesan grated
- Savory seasoning or black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta and salt in boiling water for 6 minutes. Do not discard water.
- In a cold skillet over medium heat oil and tasso and cook until it begins to brown about 3-5 minutes, add onions, cook for 2 minutes. With tongs remove pasta and add to skillet. Take ¼ cup of pasta water and add to skillet, keep stirring. Remove from heat and cool for 1 minute.
- In a bowl beat eggs, egg yolk, ¼ cup pecorino and Savory NOLA seasoning. Stir into pasta and coat evenly. Divide between two plates, garnish with more pecorino and black pepper.
Amira Rose says
Are these nutritional facts for both servings or a single serving?
Kenneth Temple says
The app I use doesn't have nutritional facts for tasso, so it substituted pancetta, which has 1,891 calories per pound. I used turkey tasso, a healthier alternative to traditional pork tasso. However, this is a rich and hearty dish typically served in large portions, which can be divided into four smaller servings.