Polenta Carbonara

If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, you might have already heard of carbonara, a classic Roman pasta dish featuring eggs, cured pork, and cheese. But have you ever had Polenta Carbonara? This variation of the dish swaps out the pasta for a base of creamy, corn-based polenta, making it a heartier and more rustic version of the original.

Polenta is a popular dish in Northern Italy, where corn is a common staple ingredient. It’s made by cooking coarse cornmeal in water or broth until it thickens into a porridge-like texture, then flavored with butter, cheese, or other ingredients. Polenta can be served as a side dish, a main course, or even a dessert.

In the case of Polenta Carbonara, the polenta is the star of the show, providing a rich and buttery base for the other ingredients to shine. The classic carbonara sauce is made by whisking eggs, grated pecorino cheese, and crispy pancetta or bacon together until it forms a thick, velvety mixture that coats the noodles. In this version, the sauce is poured over the warm polenta, creating an indulgent and comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly nights.

To make Polenta Carbonara, start by cooking the polenta according to the package instructions. You can use either instant or traditional polenta, but keep in mind that the latter may take longer to cook and require more stirring. Once the polenta is cooked, stir in some butter and grated parmesan cheese to add flavor and creaminess. If the polenta is too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of milk or cream.

Next, make the carbonara sauce by frying some diced pancetta or bacon in a skillet until it’s crispy and browned. Remove the pancetta from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. In a mixing bowl, whisk some eggs, grated pecorino cheese, black pepper, and a pinch of salt together until smooth. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet with the pancetta fat, stirring constantly over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes silky.

To assemble the dish, spoon the warm polenta into serving bowls and drizzle the carbonara sauce over the top. Sprinkle some chopped parsley or chives on top for garnish, if desired. Serve the Polenta Carbonara hot, accompanied by a glass of crisp white wine or a refreshing salad.

Polenta Carbonara is a dish that’s both simple and sophisticated, rustic yet refined. It’s a perfect example of how Italian cuisine embraces humble, seasonal ingredients and transforms them into something special with the right combination of technique and creativity. If you’re looking for a new twist on traditional carbonara, give Polenta Carbonara a try and discover the deliciousness of creamy, cheesy polenta paired with savory, salty bacon and eggs. Buon appetito!