What will they think of next? This week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Onion Carbonara, sounds like something which would have popped up on a restaurant menu during the Atkins craze. Loaded with fat, no carbs.
I never got into the Atkins thing (it’s downright dangerous to stand between me and a steaming bowl of pasta) but this dish certainly got my attention. With steamed onions standing in for the spaghetti, this was otherwise a very traditional carbonara.
I made this one on my husband’s birthday and so served it alongside a pan seared duck breast, one of his all time favorites. And, do you know, it was actually good. Really good, in fact. Somewhere between a side dish and a chunky sauce, it paired beautifully with the duck and I bet that it would go well with other meats as well. I tell ya, that Dorie has a secret or two up her sleeve.
And since this is my last French Friday before Christmas, I also wanted to say that I am LOVING the holiday cards which are filling up my mailbox each day. It has been a joy to cook along with all of you this year and I wish you and yours a holiday season filled with all of your favorite foods.
one expat's life 
Yes – this paired really well with meat (a pork chop in our case). I am really going to have to make this again when I can eat it myself!
We have a guy at work who was REALLY into Atkins – I didn’t understand it how eating a full meal of sausage or pepperoni was good for you, but he was pretty happy with it…
The cards have been a lot of fun – I loved yours with the pictures 🙂 Hope you have a lovely holiday.
First, thank you for the lovely card, it is nice to “see” you after all this time. This was a surprise
recipe for sure, and definitely a keeper. Merry Christmas to you both.
If Bill liked it, you know it was really, really good! Glad you did, too. Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas Rose! This was surprisingly good.
I guess it’s from having been a vegetarian for so long. I didn’t think of this as a side dish because it had bacon and egg in it? My son would have loved some meat with it. I bet a pork chop would work too. Merry Christmas, glad you enjoyed it.
Oh my! What a delicious meal for a birthday! I had in mind of a delicious honey something duck breast for this too!
Interesting how many folks thought of this as a side dish. I thought it was pretty substantial on its own although I can see the flavours would work well with meat for sure!
Yup- this was a surprise indeed. So glad that your hubby enjoyed it as part of his birthday meal- it does sound like a lovely combo with the duck. My husband dug in and was eating it like pasta but I really would like to make it again and serve it as a “chunky sauce” over boneless chicken breast. And yes, the cards are so much fun. What a great treat in the midst of a busy season. Happy holidays !!!
Rosa I bet this was delicious with the duck! I served mine over spaghetti, which was wonderful, but I can definitely see it as a good accompaniment to roasted meat. Happy holidays!
Got your awesome care today!
Happy Birthday to your husband! I served this as an appetizer, but like the idea of this as a side. WIshing you both a Merry Christmas, Rose!
Definitely different. Better the next day. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the lovely card, Rose! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. We ate our onion carbonara as a light main course, but I can imagine it would be great with with the duck – great pairing.
I thought this was yummy too! Yours looks so delicious with that perfectly-cooked duck breast. What a great idea!