Runner bean carbonara

Name: Runner bean carbonara
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Serves 2
Cuisine: Italian recipes
Ingredients: 3 large egg yolks; 30g double cream; 50g parmesan, finely grated; 70g diced pancetta; 2 shallots, finely sliced; 1 garlic clove, crushed; 1 tbsp thyme leaves; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (optional); 120g spaghetti; 200g runner beans, topped, tailed and sliced into thin strips

Portion size: Serves 2
Prep time 15 min. Cook time 20 min
Difficulty: easy

Kathy Slack

Save

Got a runner bean glut on your hands? Slice them up and add them to this luxurious spaghetti carbonara, says Kathy Slack.

Why it’s so good: “A tangle of spaghetti tossed with a knot of runner bean ribbons makes for a quick but decadent meal,” says Kathy. “True carbonara is made without cream, but I think the runner beans benefit from a more substantial sauce to bask in.”
Make it easy: “If you don’t have a runner bean slicer, just slice the beans top to tail into thin strips.”
When to make it: Runner beans are in season from July to November. If you’ve grown your own, take a look through these simple and delicious runner bean recipes.

Speedy, indulgent and delicious: check out more irresistible carbonara recipes.

Join Extradelicious to unlock Cook Mode

Ingredients

3 large egg yolks
30g double cream
50g parmesan, finely grated
70g diced pancetta
2 shallots, finely sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp thyme leaves
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
120g spaghetti
200g runner beans, topped, tailed and sliced into thin strips

Join Extradelicious to unlock Cook Mode

Method

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Put the egg yolks, cream and most of the parmesan in a bowl or jug and beat together with plenty of pepper and a little salt. Set aside.
Put a wide non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the shallots, garlic and thyme and turn the heat right down. If the pancetta has not released much fat you may want to add the olive oil to help the shallots cook, otherwise continue without. Cover and leave to cook until soft and sweet (around 15 minutes).
Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook for 6 minutes, then add the runner beans and cook both for a further 3 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta/bean water.
Recipe continues after advertising adslot-recipe-4
Add the pasta and beans to the pan with the pancetta and toss everything together. The next part requires a confident hand, so think assertive thoughts. Remove the frying pan from the heat. Loosen the egg mixture with a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water, then pour the egg mixture into the pan and stir vigorously. The egg will cook in the residual heat of the pan so keep it moving or you risk scrambled eggs.
Loosen the sauce with a splash more cooking water if needed. Spoon into warmed plates, top with the remaining parmesan and dash to the table.