Carbonara is my idea of the perfect dish. I adore pasta, creamy sauces, bacon and cheese, so this really is perfection. My normal recipe is simple, I never use cream, and combine it all in the bacon pan. It’s so, so, so good (I follow in Nigella’s foot steps – I will always keep ingredients for carbonara in the house!), but its not the best thing to eat too often.
Being on my recent health kick means that carbonara is firmly off the menu (sob), though I did indulge in one for Valentine’s complete with homemade pasta. Pasta can make me feel quite sluggish, and I was eating a lot of it (at least three nights a week), so I’ve knocked that out of my diet pretty much completely. But the carbonara craving was beginning to get on top of me, so before I broke down and completely undid all my hard work I came up with this low-carb version. Tickng too boxes – satisfying my craving, and creating a recipe for British Lion Eggs. Perhaps a bit more work than my go-to recipe, this feels a lot more virtuous and I can still wear high-waist jeans for dinner without unbuttoning them. This Courgette Carbonara is by no-means healthy, but it’s certainly healthier.
For my Courgette Carbonara you’ll need per person:
- 1 courgette
- 1 egg – here’s some more delicious egg recipes I can’t wait to try!
- 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan (I like it strongly cheesed up – reduce if you want!)
- 1 rash of bacon
Chop the bacon and fry in a little butter into crisp. Meanwhile prepare the courgette – use a spiraliser or julienne peeler (the cheaper option, but sharp and dangerous!) to cut thin spaghetti-like strips. Sprinkle over a little salt and sandwich between two paper towels to soak up moisture.
For the sauce, beat the egg, stir in the cheese, and season with plenty of black pepper.
Add the courgette to the bacon, toss to combine and heat the courgette through. Turn off the heat and add the egg mixture a little at a time, stopping if it scrambles to let the pan cool down. Toss everything together until the sauce is thick and glossy, the cheese full melted. Put the pan on a low heat if necessary.
There you have it – Low Carb Courgette Carbonara. A delicious sauce without the carb-induced guilt, and it’s quick and mess-free. It’s become a weekday staple for me.
Have you made any of your favorite dishes healthier? What’s your go-to weekday dinner?