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Typically, each type of Italian pasta is paired with a specific sauce, depending on the characteristics of both the pasta and the sauce. These two components enhance each other's flavor, with every part of the pasta infused in the sauce, creating a unique and harmonious blend.
In Italian, "pasta" means "dough." According to Italians, this term refers to pasta dishes made from semolina flour, the firmest type of wheat flour with an attractive amber color.
Typically, pasta is appealing in its golden hue, but the dish also comes in a variety of colors depending on the combination of coloring ingredients during dough preparation. Red comes from sauces made with ripe tomatoes, spinach juice creates a vibrant green, and a mysterious black is achieved through squid ink dyeing, and so on.
Regarding carbonara sauce, it's ranked as one of the three most popular and beloved Italian pasta sauces in the world, offering diners a rich and creamy experience from a mixture of fresh cheese and egg yolks. Two types of cheese are most commonly used in authentic Italian carbonara: Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Pecorino Romano cheese has a black rind.
Parmigiano – Reggiano cheese.
These two types of cheese are usually quite firm and salty, so chefs rarely need to add any seasoning to the sauce except a little finely ground black pepper. Besides the classic recipe with smoked bacon, this smooth, creamy sauce is also excellent when combined with other ingredients such as beef, chicken, mushrooms, and seafood (shrimp, salmon, etc.).
Seafood version of Pasta Carbonara made with salmon, fresh shrimp, squid, and dill.
One common misconception about carbonara sauce is the seemingly irreplaceable presence of whipping cream. However, the original recipe for this delicious dish doesn't include any cream. The rich, creamy flavor comes entirely from eggs and fresh cheese; whipping cream was only added later to enhance the smoothness, richness, and milky aroma.
Pasta Carbonara is served with fresh egg yolks.
To this day, this innovation seems to have won over quite a few diners. Indeed, in current carbonara recipes, fresh cream has been added as a key ingredient alongside eggs and cheese to create a harmonious trio that delivers an unforgettable rich and creamy flavor to this simple yet incredibly appealing dish.
Ngoc Anh
