Bucatini All'amatriciana

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
• 12 ounces bucatini pasta 
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes chopped
• 1  garlic clove peeled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin divided
• 1 cup onion finely chopped
• 2.5 ounces parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 1  peperoncino or dried red crushed
• 4 ounces unsmoked bacon divided sliced cut into 1x1/4-inch strips,

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• paper towels
• pot

Directions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add half of guanciale and sauté until crisp, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer guanciale to paper towels to drain (do not clean skillet). Reserve for garnish.
4. Add 2 tablespoons oil to same skillet over medium-low heat.
5. Add garlic and peperoncino; sauté until peperoncino darkens, about 2 minutes.
6. Add onion and remaining guanciale; sauté until onion is translucent and fat has rendered from guanciale, about 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar; cook 1 minute.
7. Add tomatoes; simmer 6 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
8. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite.
9. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to same pot.
10. Add tomato sauce and cheese to pasta and toss, adding some of reserved pasta cooking liquid if dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
11. Transfer pasta to bowl.
12. Sprinkle with reserved guanciale and serve.