SPAGHETTI WITH ESCAROLE AND BACON

Spaghetti with Escarole and Bacon image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 14

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For Bacon:
1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
For Escarole:
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 head escarole (about 1-1/2 pounds), leaves cut into 1/2-inch strips (about 3 quarts)
2/3 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
For Pasta:
3/4 pound spaghetti
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

FOR BACON: In a large deep frying pan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon. Pour off all the fat from the pan. FOR ESCAROLE: In the same pan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the garlic, red-pepper flakes, and anchovy paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the escarole, a little at a time, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the broth and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. FOR PASTA: Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti until just done, about 12 minutes. TO SERVE: Drain the pasta; add it to the pan with the escarole. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, the Parmesan, bacon, and butter. Variations:
Stir in a cup of drained canned cannellini beans when you add the broth in Step 2.
Add two tablespoons of chopped fresh basil just before serving. WINE RECOMMENDATION: Italian white wines were made for dishes like this one. Soave, Orvieto, Frascati--all are based on the trebbiano grape and have the crisp, neutral, refreshing taste and light body that allow the pasta to take center stage.