Monty Don, the 71-year-old host of BBC's Gardeners' World, has revealed his secret ingredient for the 'ultimate' carbonara: parsley. In an interview on Samuel Goldsmith's Good Food Podcast, Don shared his preferred method for the classic Italian dish, which traditionally includes cured pork, hard cheese, and eggs.
Monty Don's Carbonara Recipe
Don explained that he uses linguine instead of spaghetti, along with finely-cut bacon and Parmesan cheese. While many home cooks add chives or basil, Don opts for parsley. 'Parsley, chopped finally,' he said. His method involves one egg per person plus an extra egg, cooking the pasta, adding it to the bacon, then mixing in the egg off the heat, followed by cheese. He cautioned against allowing the mixture to turn into scrambled eggs, advising to plate it while it continues cooking.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Don's approach divided opinion on Instagram. One user commented, 'Stick to gardening,' while another said, 'I love you Monty, but that's not carbonara.' A third agreed, 'We love you Monty, but this is not carbonara.' However, supporters defended him, with one stating, 'Monty is allowed to add parsley. He knows plants!' Another wrote, 'This is the way he likes/cooks it. He didn't say this was the traditional way, so why all the negativity?' A third exclaimed, 'Perfecto! That’s how make it.'
Parsley as a Garden Herb
Parsley, a common garden herb, is known for its fresh flavour and is often used in Mediterranean cuisine. Don, a gardening expert, likely grows his own parsley, aligning with his ethos of using homegrown produce. The debate highlights the passion surrounding traditional recipes, with some purists arguing that carbonara should not include herbs.
