Ham and Asparagus Carbonara

This is a lovely dish served with a bread crumb topping and sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.  The recipe makes about 6 cups, but you could 1/2 it for less people.

For the topping:

3/4 c. fresh bread crumbs(just put a little bread in a food processor and grind it)

1 T. olive oil

1/4 c. minced parsley

1 T. lemon zest

Heat oil in skillet, add other ingredients and cook until golden.  Set aside.

For the carbonara cook:

8 oz. spaghetti

1 1/2 c. asparagus, sliced into piece

Fill a large saucepan with water, bring to boil.  Add spaghetti and cook 10 minutes.  Add asparagus and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.  Save 1/4 c. of the pasta water.  Drain.

For the carbonara sauce:

2 eggs

3/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1/3 c. heavy cream

Beat eggs well.  Then beat in cream.  Mix in cheese. 

other ingredients:

2 T. olive oil

1/3 c. minced onion

1 T. minced garlic

2 c. diced ham

1/4 c. white wine

After browning the bread crumbs aand removing from skillet, add oil, onion, garlic and ham to skillet.  Cook over medium heat about 7 minutes.  Add wine and allow to reduce.  Mix in hot cooked spaghetti and asparagus.  Take off heat.  Stir in sauce ingredients off the heat.  Stir in pasta water.  Continue to stir until sauce thickens slightly.

Serve in a bowl with a sprinkling of bread crumbs and some parmesan cheese on top.