Official recipe from Italian culinary academy reveals popular ingredient you must NOT include if you want the perfect carbonara

A heartwarming carbonara is a dish loved by Brits far and wide across the UK and is seen by many as the ultimate example of Italian comfort food as a result. 

After all, the combination of salty, piggy chunks of cured pork, a silky smooth egg and cheese sauce, garlic and enough black pepper to make your eyes water is a difficult proposition to turn down. 

The very composition of this satisfying but easy-to-execute dish may come as a shock to home cooks though – after an official recipe from Italy’s Academy of Cuisine revealed the commonly misused ingredient that should not be included in an authentic version of the classic meal. 

According to the recipe on the body’s website, a carbonara is only really considered to be Italian if guanciale – cured pig’s cheek – is used. 

While it is not as readily available in shops and supermarkets across the UK as ham, bacon and pancetta, guanciale is used by Italians for its higher fat content to boost flavour in the finished dish. 

Another non-negotiable for the recipe is the use of pecorino cheese instead of other hard cheeses such as parmesan or Grana Padano, owing to its higher salt content from being made with sheep’s milk. 

As for the method when it comes to making the carbonara itself, advice on the website reads: ‘Cut the guanciale into half-centimetre thick strips. Place the guanciale in a pan with the olive oil, the crushed garlic and brown it until just right. 

Once you have removed the pan and the garlic off the heat, beat the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and the grated pecorino cheese. 

A heartwarming carbonara is a dish loved by Brits far and wide across the UK and is seen by many as the ultimate example of Italian comfort food as a result (File image)

A heartwarming carbonara is a dish loved by Brits far and wide across the UK and is seen by many as the ultimate example of Italian comfort food as a result (File image)

After all, the combination of salty, piggy chunks of cured pork, a silky smooth egg and cheese sauce, garlic and enough black pepper to make your eyes water is a difficult proposition to turn down (File image)

After all, the combination of salty, piggy chunks of cured pork, a silky smooth egg and cheese sauce, garlic and enough black pepper to make your eyes water is a difficult proposition to turn down (File image)

According to the recipe on the body's website, a carbonara is only really considered to be Italian if guanciale - cured pig's cheek - is used

According to the recipe on the body’s website, a carbonara is only really considered to be Italian if guanciale – cured pig’s cheek – is used

Then, bring plenty of salted water to the boil in a large pot, lower the spaghetti and cook until the pasta is al dente.

Once the pasta is ready, pour it into the pan with the guanciale, add the beaten egg and grated pecorino cheese mixture – resisting any evil impulse inside your head to add cream – and mix all the ingredients well. 

Finally, to serve, sprinkle the dish with plenty of freshly ground black pepper – it does not translate as ‘coal burner’ into English for nothing. 

The recipe from the Italian Academy of Cuisine will come as a welcome to carbonara fans who were previously angered by Gordon Ramsay putting peas in his version of the dish.

The TV chef, 57, added the quintessentially British vegetable into his version, much to the chagrin of diners. 

The extra ingredient of peas left Italians and carbonara fans fuming, with some begging Gordon to never cook pasta again.

The £15 dish is being served at his Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza restaurants across the UK.

Italian Juline Marconi fumed: ‘For fudge sake. Guanciale, egg and pecorino, it’s not that hard.’

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has angered Italians by putting peas in a spaghetti carbonara dish

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has angered Italians by putting peas in a spaghetti carbonara dish

The TV chef, 57, added the quintessentially British vegetable into his version of the Italian classic carbonara

The TV chef, 57, added the quintessentially British vegetable into his version of the Italian classic carbonara

Fellow compatriot Sandro Luc added: ‘I love Gordon but this is not carbonara.’ Amedeo Emmolo said: ‘Please, delete this and never cook pasta again.’

Briton Chris Bane said: ‘That’s not a carbonara on any level.’ Connor Musson said: ‘What is this abomination of Italian food. For shame Gordon.’

Another person joked: ‘I’m not even Italian and I’m offended.’ While someone else added: ‘People have to pay for that?’

Another said: ‘RIP carbonara.’ Meanwhile someone else quipped: ‘Gordon is not scared of Italians.’

You May Also Like

Virginia Giuffre’s family issues a full statement as Prince Andrew accuser, aged 41, succumbs to the toll of abuse

THE heartbroken family of Virginia Giuffre have described her as a “fierce…

Meghan Markle’s podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder,” fails to make an impact on charts and loses to a sleep-related show

The Duchess of Sussex has suffered another blow this week after her…

Check out the amazing new £3 billion airport renovation in a small country that might be perfect for your long-haul vacations

THIS is the brand-new £3 billion airport upgrade in a tiny Middle…

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in Legal Proceedings as Authorities Attempt to Prevent Release of ‘Freak Off’ Footage

Sean “Diddy” Combs was in a New York federal court on Friday,…

Bride unable to enter country for wedding because of minor passport mistake right before ceremony

A bride shared her horror after being denied entry to the country…

Virginia Giuffre, Survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s Abuse, Passes Away at 41 in Apparent Suicide

Virginia Giuffre, 41, a prominent survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, died…

Caysen Allison: Prosecution Finishes Presenting Evidence in Trial of Texas Man Who Allegedly Stabbed Classmate in School Restroom

The state and defense team rested their cases Friday in the murder…

Video of discredited mogul assaulting Cassie Ventura will be shown to the jury as his surprising defense plan is exposed.

The judge presiding over the Diddy case has granted permission for the…

Aimee Lou Wood misses White Lotus event while Walton Goggins walks the red carpet after his SNL hosting debut. The actress was recently teased about her teeth on the show.

Aimee Lou Wood decided not to attend a White Lotus event in…

Authorities Report Lack of Proof for Alleged ‘New England Serial Killer’ Amid Online Speculation

Police in a small coastal town in Connecticut have confirmed the identity…

Emma and Matt Willis show affection as they leave glamorous BAFTA TV Craft Awards event – her first appearance after undergoing keyhole heart surgery

Emma and Matt Willis put on a loved-up display as they led…

“Jack P Shepherd Emerges as the Champion of Celebrity Big Brother, with Danny Beard as the Runner-Up”

Jack P Shepherd has won Celebrity Big Brother, with Danny Beard finishing…