Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron, 2 pinches
- Salt
- 1 pound thick spaghetti, such as Barilla brand
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 pound pancetta, cut like thick bacon at deli counter then diced
- 4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 egg yolks
- Black pepper
- 1 cup grated pecorino cheese
- A generous handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Directions
Place the saffron in a small pot with 1 cup cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let it steep while pasta water comes to a boil, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water and cook pasta to al dente. Heads up: reserve a half cup of starchy cooking water just before you drain spaghetti.
While the water comes to a boil, heat olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until just about crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add in the garlic after 2 to 3 minutes and stir another 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in wine and turmeric. Beat eggs with starchy cooking water. Drain pasta and add to the skillet. Pour saffron water over the pasta and toss to combine, season with pepper. Add in half the cheese and all of the parsley, pour in tempered eggs and turn off heat. Toss the spaghetti to coat evenly in golden sauce. Top with additional cheese and serve immediately.
Photo: Saffron Spaghetti alla Carbonara Recipe















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By Sally2011V6
Maine
on June 23, 2012
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very good
By mehartrich
Normal, IL
on February 15, 2012
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Yuck...color was neon yellow, taste was bland. Pasty at best. Won't make again.
By The Petite Gourmet
Portland, OR
on September 08, 2011
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This was a decent dish, but probably not something I would make again. I absolutely love pasta, so I have plenty of other recipes - including carbonara ones - to turn to, and this just didn't stack up. I agree that RR's recipes are unreliable, and I just don't think the ingredients worked here, particularly the saffron and turmeric. Won't be making this again.
Read all 22 reviews