My children are very good eaters and they all have quite an extensive list of their favourite foods. But spaghetti carbonara is definitely in the top 3 for all five of them. (I say five, because I'm pretty sure it's on Bram's list as well, even though he hasn't even started solids yet.) I don't make spaghetti carbonara very often, as I don't consider it the healthiest of all dishes, but when I'm in a rush and I want something yummy on the table in less than 15 minutes, carbonara it is.

Now, I don't happen to make a 'normal' spaghetti carbonara -- I actually happen to make 'the very best spaghetti carbonara'. My kids assure me every single time! It's better than in Italy, they say. So cute. It makes me feel like a very good mama : ). Here's the recipe:

The very best spaghetti carbonara:

For 4 hungry eaters

• 500 g Lingiune no. 7 (I like using De Cecco pasta)

• 250 g smoked bacon (pancetta) bits (lardons)

• 1 large or 2 small onions, diced

• 150 g freshly grated old Gouda cheese, or parmesan

• 4 egg yolks (5 if small eggs)

• a splash of milk

• salt, freshly ground black pepper

Bring an oversized pot of salted water to the boil (cover with a lid to make it boil faster).

Put the bacon in a frying pan and heat over medium heat, allowing the fat of the bacon to melt so that the lardons can cook in their own fat. Once the bacon starts to cook, you can turn up the heat. When the bacon is crispy, add the onions and cook for a minute or two until they are soft. Turn off the heat.

As soon as the water is boiling, add the linguine and cook (uncovered!) until all dente. In the meantime, beat the egg yolks with the milk and the freshly ground black pepper.

Now, as soon as the linguine is cooked, toss it in a colander and then immediately back in the pot it was cooked in. Don't let it drain much -- I like to still have some of the cooking liquid there. Now quickly, add the bacon and onion with some of the fat it cooked in. Stir. Add the egg/milk mixture. Stir again. Lastly, add the cheese. Give it another good stir until the cheese is melting.

Serve! And enjoy :).

xxx Esther

PS Another easy meal for weekdays, healthy and light and delicious!