So last week I bought a new garlic press.
Don’t underestimate the joy this purchase brought me (surely a sign that I am a true grown-up?!).
My previous garlic press was clumsy, unwieldy and broke every nine of ten uses. In short, it sucked the big one. Happily the replacement is a marvel of engineering (no kidding, I marvelled for so long the dinner started to burn…or perhaps that was a mini blackout. Note to self: stop drinking while cooking).
Since I’m like a proud new parent, here’s a picture of my kitchen gadget offspring but please note that I don’t get paid by the manufacturer to endorse it. I haven’t even mentioned the name so no selling out here.
The little beauty debuted in last night’s dinner – chicken carbonara with squash noodles.
This isn’t your typical carbonara. I’m just not that sort of cook, I haven’t met a recipe yet that I didn’t want to interfere with (that sounded wrong).
It may not be the ‘traditional’ version but this carbonara has all the perks you’d expect from the Italian classic – the creamy sauce, the subtle parmesan and the salty bacon (or pancetta) juices.
I’ve replaced the pasta with spaghetti squash, a vegetable which only recently made my acquaintance but has proved a worthy alternative to the belly-hating pasta. Despite the name, it resembles noodles more than spaghetti but whatever, it’s a nice healthy carb to soak up the sauce.
Chicken Carbonara with Squash Noodles (serves 2)
- 1 large skinless, boneless chicken breast
- 4 rashers of smoked, streaky bacon (I used the hickory smoked from Applegate)
- 1 medium sized spaghetti squash
- 3 small button mushrooms, finely sliced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 2 tbsps heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan, plus more to serve
- 2 tsps black pepper
- 5 tbsps EVOO
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half length ways. Brush the flesh with olive oil and season then place, cut side down, in a glass baking dish or appropriately lined baking tray and bake at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your squash.
- When baked, turn the oven off, remove the squash and carefully fork out the flesh. It should separate into something approximating noodles. Scoop out as much as possible and place back in the warm oven til needed.
- Heat 2 tbsps of olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Mince the garlic with an awesome garlic press then add to the oil. Cut your chicken into equal sized chunks about an inch thick and add these. Slice the bacon into similar sized strips and add to the pot. Gently fry for about 8 minutes until the meat is cooked.
- Remove meat with a slated spoon, preserving the delicious juices in the pan. Set aside.
- Saute the mushrooms and onions in the meat juices for 5 minutes til soft, stirring to ensure they are well coated.
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together the egg, cream, black pepper and parmesan.
- Put the squash noodles in the saucepan together with the mushrooms and onions. Stir in the chicken, bacon and spinach. Lastly stir in the egg and cream mixture. Everything should still be warm so the eggs will gently cook as you mix it all together.
- Transfer to a plate or dish and top with more parmesan and black pepper.
PS: I couldn’t find your URL earlier. You’re nominated for the Blog On Fire Award too 🙂
Awww, thank you – appreciate the support 🙂
I am quite sure my belly would like this one too!
Yay! I love making bellies happier 🙂
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat.Comâ„¢ and commented:
“Things My Belly Likes”….I love this blog. I love this recipe as well.
Mmmm my stomach is growling now! Sounds great!
Thanks!
Sounds like a great recipe! Spaghetti squash is a god sent, I should have it more often 🙂
And I’m glad I’m not the only one that gets all exited when I get a new ustensile haha
It started when I was around 21 and got my own kitchen….ever since then a even well-designed wooden spoon can reduce me to tears (of joy obviously).
Oh, yum…. This looks fantastic!
Thanks Audrey!
I have a garlic press just like that, I love mine too. Spaghetti squash is a family favorite. It is excellent topped with a marinara or meat sauce, as well.
Ooooh, thanks for the idea – that might be my next ‘pasta’ dish!
Oh man…I love carbonara anything…I’ll be trying this one…thanks!!
you are most welcome! Thanks for checking it out!
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Just made this tonight. Absolutely phenomenal. Subbed coconut cream and threw in a ton of Italian seasonings, and it was so so good. Served it up over steamed broccoli.
Hi Meaghan, thanks for checking back in. Glad you liked the carbonara – giving it a coconut twist does sound delicious, I think I’ll try that myself 🙂
I had to comment again because this is THAT GOOD. My husband got so excited last night when he saw all the ingredients out on the counter. He said, “Are you making what I think you are???” So yeah, rave reviews from the crowd. I added some shallot this time too, and I always use chicken thighs (so good). Amazing amazing amazing. And such an easy meal to double or triple (which I did) to have many more meals for the week already done!
Hi Meaghan…thanks for your kind words. I love that you love it 🙂 And that your hubs is on board too – happy bellies all round!
I was a little hesitant after it cooked as it wasn’t as pretty as yours but it was tasty. My other half loved it as well and it’s harder to sell him on clean eating 🙂 Also we both found it really filling. Changes I made were greek yogurt instead of heavy cream (and I doubled it), tripled the garlic, doubled the chicken, used a lot more mushrooms and cut most of the fat off the bacon before cooking it. Made us four servings with the added chicken and veggies.
You had me at ‘tripled the garlic’ 🙂 Sounds lovely Cheryl, I’m really glad you and your guy liked it. Thanks for coming back and letting me know.
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