FETTUCCINE CARBONARA WITH GORGONZOLA

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound fettuccine
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 1/2 8oz packages frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs, beaten to blend
  • 8 slices cooked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

PREPARATION

  • Cook pasta in heavy large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add artichoke hearts; sauté 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese, cream, half and half, crushed red pepper, black pepper and salt and simmer until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  • Add hot pasta to sauce and toss to coat. Remove from heat. Add eggs to pasta and toss well. Add bacon, 1/2 cup Gorgonzola, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and parsley and toss to incorporate. Add reserved pasta cooking liquid to thin sauce, if desired. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Gorgonzola and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese over pasta and serve
Petit Verdot, Napa Valley