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What Can I Add To A Shop-bought Carbonara Sauce To Give It More Flavour?

13 June 2009 766 views 11 Comments

I have a shop-bought, stir-in carbonara sauce which is awfully bland. It doesn’t have much flavour and what you can taste isn’t actually very carbonara-ish. What could I add to it to give it more flavour; more zing?

11 Comments »

  • Spike J said:

    Don’t bother with the shop-bought!
    To serve 4
    1 pint double cream
    4 large eggs
    6 rashers bacon chopped
    1 clove garlic, crushed
    olive oil
    Mixed herbs (I use herbes de Provence)
    Black Pepper
    Parmesan
    400g tagliatelle or spaghetti
    half handful salt
    2 desertspoons/cubes vegetable stock
    In one saucepan cook pasta in boiling water with salt & stock for 8-10 mins. In second saucepan fry bacon in olive oil with garlic. Beat cream & eggs in bowl & add to bacon, when cooked & stir until thickened. Drain pasta, replace in its pan & add sauce & stir through. add pepper & parmesan to taste.
    Enjoy it!

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • whiskeyf said:

    garlic, mushrooms onions peppers, a little pepper, oregano basil.

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • PurplePo said:

    capers or anchovies

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • lululalu said:

    Try adding bits of cooked bacon, sliced mushrooms or a handful of grated parmesan, any one of those should help. Oh, make sure you put lots of freshly ground black pepper in it too!
    (Or, do what I do, buy the Waitrose one, it’s delish!)

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • Snowraid said:

    I would say that it needs more seasoning i.e. salt and pepper and that will bring the flavour out. Good luck with it, bland is awful.

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • MB said:

    Add pancetta or bacon, parmesan cheese, parsley (flat Italian leaf), nutmeg & freshly ground black pepper & red pepper flakes. If you want to boost the flavor a bit more, try some sun-dried tomatoes.

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • cookiesa said:

    sliced pepperoni, cut in strips
    grated Parmesan cheese
    Parsley & pepper to taste
    bacon, cut up
    mushrooms
    shallots, minced finely

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • Tom H said:

    Break out the Italian herbs, a few mixed herbs as well, some pepper.
    I would add some milk to water it down a bit, then bring back some thickness with some really tasty strong cheese.
    Or just bin it and make your own – really easy and far far nicer
    Good luck

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • Strawber said:

    Garlic salt…if I’m in any doubt about the flavour or lack of ,I always bung in the garlic salt,
    Good dish; buy ASDA pasta with garlic and herb sauce(it’s a dry packet mix) bung in a tin of luncheon meat,diced, and some marrowfat peas,and cook for 8-12 minutes.it’s handy for unexpected visitors…or if you’re just feeling lazy.

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • maggs said:

    White wine

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am
  • jerry d said:

    I have found that most bland sauces will respond with more zest and a more intense flavor simply by the addition of lemon juice. Add in small increments until you get the zest you wish.

    # 13 June 2009 at 3:18 am

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