A question about a recipe: Summer Weekend Pasta

I have a question about step 1 on the recipe "Summer Weekend Pasta" from amanda. It says:

"Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, spread the bacon in a large saute pan, add the garlic clove, and set over medium heat. Cook the bacon until it's crisp and its fat has rendered. As you remove the bacon from the heat, stir in the red pepper flakes." Is there a non meat option to substitute here?

macha
  • Posted by: macha
  • July 20, 2012
  • 3296 views
  • 8 Comments
Summer Weekend Pasta
Recipe question for: Summer Weekend Pasta

8 Comments

PFossil
PFossil August 16, 2012
I was thinking a little ricotta salata, crumbled or cubed, at the very end to add the saltiness from the bacon.
 
SMSF
SMSF August 14, 2012
I suppose you could try one of the "fake-bacon" "fakon" products, but honestly you might just consider making a different type of dish. It seems to me that both the bacon itself and the resulting bacon fat are too integral and, like a Porsche, there is no substitute! :)
 
Panfusine
Panfusine August 14, 2012
Mushrooms and fried sun dried tomatoes...
 
caroberts77
caroberts77 August 14, 2012
You could add in a little smoked mozzarella at the end to get that smoky flavor in the dish.
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. July 20, 2012
Yes, I like Pierino's suggestion. Some tomatoes, but not too much.
 
Benny
Benny July 20, 2012
I suggest portabello mushrooms.
 
pierino
pierino July 20, 2012
Benny, I have the 12 pack of Cottonelle. Coming your way.
 
pierino
pierino July 20, 2012
Amanda's recipe is a riff on the classic Roman l'amatriciana; bacon or guanciale or pancetta. If you want to omit the bacon you can just go fra diavolo; butter or olive oil (or both) with tomato and hot pepper. BUT you really can't substitute anything for the bacon flavor. And if anyone suggests portabello mushrooms I promise to come down and toilet paper their house.
 
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