Romantic Red Wine Linguine with Crispy Bacon & Parmesan
Indulge in a romantic culinary experience with this rich and flavorful red wine linguine, perfectly complemented by crispy bacon, savory Parmesan, and a delicate touch of star anise. An elegant dish perfect for special occasions.
Equipment
- Medium Saucepot
- Large skillet
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 6 ounces linguine
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot sliced
- 0.5 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 star anise
- 1.5 cups Chianti wine about 1/2 bottle
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 4 slices bacon
- 0.5 cup shredded Parmigiano cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- Start the Wine Reduction: In a medium saucepot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced shallot and whole black peppercorns, cooking for about 3 minutes until the shallot softens. Pour in the Chianti wine and add the bay leaves. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it gently simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Deepen the Flavor: Stir in the chicken broth and star anise into the saucepot. Bring it back to a gentle boil, then reduce heat again and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half once more. Season with a tiny pinch of salt. Carefully strain the reduction, removing the bay leaves and peppercorns, but remember to save the star anise for later garnish. Pour this flavorful liquid into a large skillet.
- Prepare Pasta & Bacon: While the wine reduction is simmering, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook it for about 3 minutes less than the package directions suggest; it will finish cooking in the sauce. In a separate, dry skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until they are beautifully crispy. Remove the bacon, drain off any excess fat, and set it aside to cool (it will become even crisper).
- Combine & Finish: Before draining the pasta, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta, then immediately transfer it to the skillet with the simmering wine reduction. Cook the linguine in the reduction over high heat, tossing frequently, until it's perfectly al dente and has absorbed the delicious flavors. If the sauce seems too dry, gradually add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve & Garnish: Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the cold butter until it melts and creates a smooth, glossy finish. Serve the pasta immediately. Garnish each plate generously with the crispy bacon, shredded Parmigiano cheese, the reserved star anise, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives. Enjoy your romantic meal!
Notes
PREP TIME & NUTRITION: Prep Time: 3 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 28 minutes, Servings: 2. Calories: Unavailable, Total Carbs: Unavailable, Net Carbs: Unavailable, Fats: Unavailable, Protein: Unavailable.
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