STEP 2
Finely chop the 100g pancetta, having first removed any rind
Finely grate 50g pecorino cheese and 50g parmesan and mix them together
STEP 3
Beat the 3 large eggs in a medium bowl and season with a little freshly grated black pepper
Set everything aside
STEP 4
Add 1 tsp salt to the boiling water, add 350g spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked)
STEP 5
Squash 2 peeled plump garlic cloves with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it
STEP 6
While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic
Drop 50g unsalted butter into a large frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic
STEP 7
Leave to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp
The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard
STEP 8
Keep the heat under the pancetta on low
When the pasta is ready, lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta
Don’t worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don’t throw the pasta water away yet
STEP 9
Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later
STEP 10
Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat
Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese
Using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn’t scramble, and everything is coated
STEP 11
Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tablespoons should do it)
You don’t want it wet, just moist
Season with a little salt, if needed
STEP 12
Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on to the serving plate or bowl
Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper
If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived
