A little silliness

Few people are aware of the fact that I have a Second Life account and even fewer people are likely to care. Nonetheless, hanging out with a good friend who knows of the blog and showing off my new outfits....well, we just had to. And we have pictures to prove it!

This one's for you, Desi!

Spaghetti Carbonara done the traditional way

Everyone and their dog knows spaghetti carbonara. But not a lot of people know how it's meant to be done properly. Ever since its exportation to the US, the traditional recipe has been twisted and warped into barely a fraction of what it's meant to be. In most places you will see this dish with peas, cream, mushrooms and even chicken.

I was more than aware of the fact that most people are doing it wrong so I went to a good source to find out the right way to do it; Italians. Now, I give you the classic recipe for spaghetti alla carbonara.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti
• 2 eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Pancetta (you really shouldn't substitute this but if you have to, use the best quality bacon you can get)
• Crushed/minced garlic

Method

• If you're using dried spaghetti, start cooking it in boiling water.
• Heat some olive oil in a pan on a medium heat and throw in the pancetta. When it's browned, put in the garlic and saute until it's soft
• Mix together the parmesan and two eggs
  
• Remove the pasta from the heat and drain. Leave to cool for a couple of minutes and chop up the pancetta into strips, then add the garlic.
• Mix in the egg and parmesan and add some pepper and italian herbs. Do not add salt, you probably won't need it.
• Grate some extra cheese on top and serve immedietly.

This recipe should be pretty good for two or three people. it's a lot more filling than it looks. Be warned that dishes with raw or uncooked eggs should not be given to small children, pregnant women, or people who are ill.

Let's start with something simple.

I've always been a fan of finger food. Not only because it cuts down on the washing up when you don't have plates and forks to deal with but also because there's a kind of childlike glee in realising you have sauce all over your fingers and you now have to lick it all off and taste the goodness all over again. Unless you go wash your hands instead, but who wants to do that?

I guarantee you my mini maple chicken bites will have you licking your fingers and smacking your lips. They are wonderfully sticky delicious nibbles and so ridiculously simple to make that you'll be whipping them out at the first available opportunity. Just because you can.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• juice and zest of half an orange
• 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard

Method

• Cut the chicken breasts into medium sized strips, or chunks if you prefer and stir fry until cooked in a wok
• Meanwhile, juice the orange and mix with the maple syrup and mustard
• When the chicken is just cooked, pour the marinade in and continue to stir fry until the chicken is covered and the marinade has gone sticky
• Spoon the chicken out of the wok into a dish or bowl and pour over the excess sauce

Tada! Stupidly easy chicken nibbles in ten minutes! Enjoy!