Spaghettie Carbonara and Bruschetta

This recipe is SO good... Probably because if you are on a diet, this isn't something you would want to make. If you can tell in the picture my portion size is small, but it is worth it to me to have that little piece of heaven! This is a great recipe to make for your husband as a surprise, Valentine's Day, Date night, Father's day (which is coming up soon) or just because it is down right delicious! I think the only thing that makes this dinner healthy is the bruschetta or if you added a vegetable side. The night that I made this we had artichokes, which with all the butter they aren't that healthy, but a great idea is to save your artichoke hearts if you don't eat them all and freeze them for spinach and artichoke dips or other pastas! Just an idea... Here goes for a little entry into pure heaven...

Spaghetti Carbonara:
Ingredients

1 Large handful Spaghetti pasta
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup cubed bacon or pancetta
2 T garlic
1-2 cups whipping cream
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh spinach
1 bunch fresh parsley and basil chopped
Salt and pepper

Directions
1. Place water in pot with noodles and begin to boil and cook noodles. Dash with a little salt for extra flavor.
2. In saute pan cook bacon. When bacon is cooked, cut into little pieces and place back in bacon grease with ham. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add garlic and saute another minute.
4. Add whipping cream. Stir to coat everything. Let the cream cook for about 3 minutes on medium high heat and then reduce heat a little. It will start to thicken.
4. Add spinach, Parmesan and continue to stir for everything to cook. The spinach will only take a couple minutes.
5. Dash with salt and pepper. Lastly, add your noodles from the pot with a little water and stir altogether.
6. Top with fresh herbs and more Parmesan cheese and it is ready to serve!


Bruschetta:
2-3 Tomatoes
1 small bunch chopped basil
1 T fresh garlic
2-3 T Olive oil
1-2 T Red Wine Vinegar
1 large Crusty bread
Fresh mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Chop tomatoes. Add garlic, fresh basil, salt and pepper and oil and vinegar and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Cut crusty bread into little circles. Place olive oil on the bread and heat in oven until browned. Serve with bruschetta and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Coming soon is my favorites - Salsas and Guacamole!