Country Ham Carbonara

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup country ham chopped
• 2  pasteurized egg yolks 
• 9 oz fettuccine barilla refrigerated
• 3 tablespoons chives fresh chopped
• 3 tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
• 2  garlic cloves pressed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 oz freshly parmesan cheese shredded
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper 
• 2  shallots thinly sliced

Equipment

• frying pan
• paper towels

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups hot pasta water.
2. Cook ham in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp.
3. Remove ham, reserving drippings in skillet.
4. Drain on paper towels.
5. Saut shallots in hot drippings 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic; saut 1 minute.
6. Add reserved pasta water to shallots and garlic; bring to boil. Stir in hot cooked pasta, and remove from heat. Stir in egg yolks, 1 at a time.
7. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until creamy.
8. Remove from heat; add cooked ham, Parmesan cheese, and remaining ingredients.
9. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
10. Serve immediately.