Shop Boy’s Journey of Culinary Expansion: Linguine alla Carbonara di Salsiccia

In what probably appears like a controversial move, this recipe is not Nigella’s.

I know, what the hell?

It is however a recipe from one of my favourite chefs, Jamie Oliver. I love the way that Jamie writes his recipes and the free reign he gives you in the kitchen.

His quantities seem to focus more on handfuls, lugs and pinches than the more conventional forms of measurement. He encourages you to trust your instincts when cooking which I love as it helps me develop my skills.

Anyway, last night I decided to cook Linguine alla Carbonara di Salsiccia, which he has titled in English as Sausage Carbonara.

It was amazing.

What first caught me about this dish was the picture (it is featured in Jamie’s Italy), the meatballs, the thick pancetta and the rich creamy sauce…it looked like the ultimate form of savoury gluttony.

The second thing that sold it to me was how Jamie described the dish; he explains that it is like a breakfast pasta dish and that anyone who loves the combination of sausages and eggs would love it.

It was like he was writing the recipe as a love letter to me.

The dish was insanely quick and simple to make. It probably had a lot to do with the fact I got home from work to find that my lovely partner had completed all the mise en place; the sausage had already been rolled into meatballs (you slit them open and use the filling…genius), lemon zested and the water was on the boil. All I had to do was fry the meatballs, slice the pancetta and add it to the pan, prepare the egg and cream mixture and cook the pasta

As soon as the pancetta hit the pan the entire kitchen was filled with the beautiful, rich scent of the meat and I was reminded of the one reason I could never convert to Judaism. It is too hypnotic for me to go past.

The rest of the cooking went like a blur while on my pancetta induced high. I added the pasta to the meat, took it off the heat and stirred through the cream mixture and bam dinner was ready.

There is not much more I can say about this dish other than it is amazing. In the words of Backpack from Dora the Explorer (I’m an Uncle now…I’m trying to be cool), Deliciouso! Yum, yum, yum, yum.

PS. This dish makes anything in Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals seem like too long spent in the kitchen. Go and make it…now.