First things first… the cookbook giveaway! I’m proud to have been asked to participate in the ThinkFood Cookbook which features brain-healthy recipes from 50 bloggers around the world. It was published by Posit Science and aims to bring awareness to brain diseases and gives advice on what foods are nurturing to your brain and body. The recipes all include ‘brain-healthy’ ingredients such as spinach, blueberries, matcha, pecans, cinnamon, garlic and dark chocolate. The book is absolutely gorgeous and I am honored to be a part of it.
Now, about how you can win this beauty of a cookbook! To enter the contest, simply comment on this post and tell me which recipe you are looking forward to try from my blog. Contestants must be from the United States or Canada to enter and the contest will end on Friday September 17th, at midnight. I will then randomly pick a winner and send you the book!
Now, for today’s recipe! This is a take on pasta carbonara using pancetta and a healthy dose of spinach. It’s nice and creamy and easy to put together. Just make sure you use good quality Parmesan as it really makes the dish. The eggs just slightly cook when tossed into the pasta and create that perfect amount of creamy goodness without using cream. It’s really one of those perfectly comforting meals for the colder days ahead. I like to serve it with a simple tomato and crisp lettuce salad and finish the meal with a simple fruit salad such as this one.
Creamy Spinach Pasta with Pancetta
Serves 2
Penne pasta for 2
1/4 cup of diced pancetta
1 egg yolk + 1 whole egg
1/4 teaspoon of cracked black pepper
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, add the diced pancetta to a pan on medium low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and whole egg until the mixture is homogeneous. Add the cracked black pepper and Parmesan. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking water from the pasta to help temper the eggs. Whisk vigorously as soon as you add the water to the eggs.
Add the spinach to the pan with pancetta and saute for 2 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and stir through. Add the egg mixture and stir. Serve immediately with a little extra grated Parmesan. Enjoy!
Enjoy the read!
Louise
September 5, 2010 at 11:47 am (14 years ago)The goat’s cheese and tomato tart that you posted recently is on my list of things to make, however, with the cooler weather today in Montreal, the pasta you just posted feels more appropriate!!
Froggy
September 5, 2010 at 12:00 pm (14 years ago)The Lime and Ricotta Cheesecake! As a student living in the dorm, it’s really hard to make anything with a tiny electric stove, but the cheese cake looks sooooooo yummy!
Sara
September 5, 2010 at 12:04 pm (14 years ago)I’m looking forward to trying that chocolate banana bread…yum!
atperez
September 5, 2010 at 12:43 pm (14 years ago)I’d like to try to the goat cheese and tomato tart! mmm… goat cheese is delicious! And I agree with Louise, that pasta you posted today looks mighty fine too!
dinnersanddreams.net
September 5, 2010 at 12:45 pm (14 years ago)Gorgeous pasta dish and pictures. Yum!
Nisrine
Nive
September 5, 2010 at 2:13 pm (14 years ago)I like to try your ‘Lemon Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing, posed in the month of March…they look delicious..thanks for this giveaway…
ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com
Torviewtoronto
September 5, 2010 at 2:52 pm (14 years ago)lovely pasta
delicious
Prerna@IndianSimmer
September 5, 2010 at 4:06 pm (14 years ago)I don’t think you would believe but I’m really not exaggerating if I would say that I would love to try almost all your recipes at-least once but something that I have already made but was not as perfect as yours so I would keep trying until its looks the same as yours do and that recipe is that of BRIOCHE bread.
Prerna@IndianSimmer
September 5, 2010 at 4:08 pm (14 years ago)Sorry I meant the banana bread 🙂
Anjana
September 5, 2010 at 6:22 pm (14 years ago)The zucchini Fritters look absolutely yummy! Want to try them soon..
Carrie's Classics
September 5, 2010 at 6:37 pm (14 years ago)I’m really excited to try the fish tacos with mango salsa. They sound delicious! The fresh cherry and dulce de leche brownies are quite tempting as well!
Darina
September 5, 2010 at 8:06 pm (14 years ago)I’m going to make the green onion, pancetta, and parmesan rolls. I love a savoury roll and this sounds like an awesome combination.
Your photos are lovely, as always. All of your recipes are fabulous.
betty
September 5, 2010 at 8:11 pm (14 years ago)this looks so great- thanks for sharing 🙂
Taylor
September 5, 2010 at 9:50 pm (14 years ago)I can’t wait to make your apple crisp once the time is right this fall…I can’t wait for all things apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon! Mmm!
Julie
September 6, 2010 at 1:04 am (14 years ago)I’d love to try the panzanella salad…I’ve been wanting to make some for a while and yours looks so colorful 🙂
Junglefrog
September 6, 2010 at 2:18 am (14 years ago)I didn’t know you were featured in the cookbook! Cool! Congratulations!! Love the carbonara you made and I will definitely try this version!
Topher
September 6, 2010 at 8:11 am (14 years ago)I want to try the Cherry and Dulce de Leche Brownies. Mmm.. Thanks for the giveaway!
Chris
zekks at yahoo dot com
lostpastremembered
September 6, 2010 at 8:55 am (14 years ago)delicious looking recipe for a wonderful cause. I would love to support it and try the recipe for a brain boost! The photo makes it look just perfect!
newlywed
September 6, 2010 at 8:57 am (14 years ago)This recipe looks delicious. I love sneaking spinach into pasta dishes!
kimberleyblue
September 6, 2010 at 10:30 am (14 years ago)I’ve been looking forward to making the fresh cherry and dulce de leche brownies! I love the idea of using fresh cherries instead of the usual dried ones.
Lea Ann
September 6, 2010 at 11:49 am (14 years ago)I’m a big goat cheese fan so would love to try the tart!
Foodelf
September 6, 2010 at 12:02 pm (14 years ago)The chocolate almond pear tarts have my name written all over them – can’t wait to try them.
Thanks,
Foodelf
JuLo
September 6, 2010 at 3:23 pm (14 years ago)I love matcha, I hunted for it for months before my friends tipped me off to a Japanese market that sold it. I’d love to try your matcha and chocolate swirl muffins. Yum! Good for my brain you say? Ok, I’ll have 2! 😉
MW
September 6, 2010 at 3:39 pm (14 years ago)im looking forward to the garlic salmon over spinach!!
Vanessa
September 6, 2010 at 4:29 pm (14 years ago)Anything creamy or pasta and I’m in! This looks delicious!
Megan
September 6, 2010 at 5:21 pm (14 years ago)Hands down….Chocolate and Plum Galette..delicious! Congrats of being part of this great vision for healing out body with healing foods!
Joan
September 6, 2010 at 7:12 pm (14 years ago)I love spinach and pasta so I’m planning on trying Creamy Spinach Pasta with Pancetta but I also love tomato tarts and want to try the Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart.
joosbornenc@yahoo.com
Heidi
September 7, 2010 at 10:52 am (14 years ago)I’m looking forward to trying this one, actually.
SallyBR
September 7, 2010 at 12:12 pm (14 years ago)Great recipe…. I love spinach, paired it with bacon quite often, but pancetta might make it just perfect!
Christina
September 7, 2010 at 3:19 pm (14 years ago)I have a couple of posts of yours in my “to-cook” list including lemon pound cake and the curried scallops.
Jessica
September 7, 2010 at 3:21 pm (14 years ago)How great! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Susan
September 7, 2010 at 3:46 pm (14 years ago)I would like to make the Creamy Spinach Pasta with Pancetta. This recipe has spinach in it, and the one I’ve been making for years doesn’t. Also, mine is made using fettucini. I will have to make it. Oh, and I agree, a good quality parmesan cheese freshly grated, of course, is a must!
Pleshette_Rose
September 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm (14 years ago)I’d like to try the Zucchini Fritters.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Terri.
September 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm (14 years ago)The Creamy Artichoke and Garlic Spaghetti was soooooo good and I can’t wait to make the tomato and goat cheese tart.
spike
September 8, 2010 at 8:01 pm (14 years ago)I’ll be trying the goat cheese and tomato tart this weekend.
Mimi
September 9, 2010 at 4:03 pm (14 years ago)I just bought the ingredients I needed for the goat cheese & tomato tart this morning, can’t wait to try it!
Chocolate Shavings
September 9, 2010 at 4:09 pm (14 years ago)Mimi: Let me know how it turns out, I hope you like it!
Jason
September 10, 2010 at 1:19 pm (14 years ago)the goat’s cheese tomato tart has everyone raving and I can’t wait to join the folks who’ve tried it!
naomi
September 10, 2010 at 1:53 pm (14 years ago)Following your note, first thing first, LOVE the giveway!!
Hmm,as for which one I’m going to try next. . hard choice-it’s an old one of yours but either the Apple and Potato Fritters or your Chocolate Pear Cake.
Margaret Lynch
September 10, 2010 at 2:11 pm (14 years ago)I’d love to try the Orichiette with spinach, shrimp and garlic, b/c I love love love garlic, and this recipe looks healthy too!
tryityoumightlikeit
September 10, 2010 at 2:12 pm (14 years ago)Your zucchini fritters are such a beautiful shade of green and you can never have too many options for zucchini this time of the year.
Ms. Lollipop
September 10, 2010 at 2:44 pm (14 years ago)the creamy artichoke and garlic pasta!
catharine.ellie [at] gmail.com
NikiTheo
September 10, 2010 at 2:55 pm (14 years ago)have been dying to try the goat cheese and tomato tart, and apparently so is everyone else! wow!
Chicago Cuisine Critique
September 10, 2010 at 3:51 pm (14 years ago)I want to try this recipe! Yum! It sounds and looks amazing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Joan
September 11, 2010 at 10:28 am (14 years ago)Well, I came here because I decided to finnaly get off my butt and try the Green Onion, Pancetta and Parmesan Rolls, but I have to say this pasta dish is almost irresistable!
Lisa
September 11, 2010 at 12:20 pm (14 years ago)I want to try the Chocolate and Almond Pear Tarts.
mollie
September 11, 2010 at 2:06 pm (14 years ago)I am making the Spinach Pasta tonight my sister and brother-in-law. SO excited to try it!
SJI Radio
September 11, 2010 at 2:24 pm (14 years ago)I will be trying the Creamy Spinach Pasta with Pancetta for dinner, have all the ingredients already. Big thanks
Courtney
September 11, 2010 at 2:51 pm (14 years ago)I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment on a blog before, but this is worth it.
The Lime and Ricotta Cheesecake sounds ridiculous- in the best possible use of that word. In fact, I’m going grocery shopping today and will probably add “whole milk ricotta cheese” to my list.
Sara
September 11, 2010 at 2:55 pm (14 years ago)Mmmmm, this pasta looks fantastic! I have your rosemary, walnut, and fleur de sel rolls bookmarked to make soon! 🙂
Lindsay
September 11, 2010 at 5:06 pm (14 years ago)I am new to this blog. But I really like some of the things I see! I can not wait to try this recipe.
DanaS
September 11, 2010 at 8:42 pm (14 years ago)Your shrimp-sugar-snap-pea-and-baby-bok-choi soup looks divine. One of my best friends from childhood recently lost her dad to brain cancer, so this post and this cookbook was particularly poignant. One of his favorite meals made by his wife was a dish he called ‘Asian hot pot’. I think he would have really liked your soup as well. This is a cookbook that I would love to share with my friend and her mom. Thanks!
Meryl
September 12, 2010 at 1:57 am (14 years ago)I’d like to try the Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart.
Kara
September 12, 2010 at 9:17 am (14 years ago)The goat cheese and tomato tart looks amazing!
Hellga
September 12, 2010 at 2:09 pm (14 years ago)Along with many others, I’m going to make the tomato and goat cheese tart.
This recipe intrigues me because I raise dairy goats and make cheese from the raw milk. I make both chevre and ricotta so the recipe is ideal for both varieties.
The yellow cherry tomatoes growing in my garden will also be a welcome addition.
Bethy
September 12, 2010 at 2:32 pm (14 years ago)Your blog is awesome! I really want to try my hand at whipping up some of your Cherry and Dulce de Leche Brownies… They look delish! The spinach-pancetta pasta on this page looks pretty tasty too.
Rachel
September 13, 2010 at 7:21 pm (14 years ago)Ooh what a wonderful idea for a cookbook. And the pasta looks delicious.
Graciela
September 15, 2010 at 9:34 am (14 years ago)I’m dying to try your Chicken Piccata recipe, as well as your version of Carbonara with Spinach. Both sound delicious and fairly simple, which is really important for me as a time-crunched college student! Thanks for the opportunity!
eonyc
September 15, 2010 at 1:57 pm (14 years ago)Just one??? I was going to say goat cheese and tomato tart because I LOVE that combo, but the lure of the Cherry and Dulce de Leche Brownies is too strong to fight…
Toni
September 15, 2010 at 3:41 pm (14 years ago)I want to try the Chocolate and Plum Galette. Yum!
natalie
September 17, 2010 at 10:08 pm (14 years ago)Definitely the panzanella… sounds so fresh and delicious, and I’m starting to miss summer foods already!
Emily
September 18, 2010 at 1:43 pm (14 years ago)I’d like to try the apple and potato fritters! My second choice is the zucchini fritters, because I love zucchini. I guess I’m in a fritter mood!
Matt Kay
September 29, 2010 at 2:20 pm (14 years ago)I love the simplicity of this pasta. In fact pasta and greens are one of my favorites whether it be spinach or arugula. Add a little cheese and a creamy sauce or pesto and you’re good to go.
Beautiful photography as well.
Matt Kay
Amanda
September 14, 2011 at 2:36 pm (13 years ago)I just recently stumbled upon your blog, so at the moment a lot of things are looking tasty. Keep up the good work! Nutella Bites? Come on, you can’t go wrong.
aheidt@ucsc.edu