Spicy Miso Pasta (with vegetarian option)

🛒 What do I need to make this recipe?

Ingredients:

Possible substitutions:

• Pasta - I tend to opt for linguine or spaghetti just because I find it's in-keeping with the carbonara vibes but you can use any pasta-type you fancy.
• Bacon lardons or pancetta - try chicken or sausage if you want to switch up the protein type.
• Fresh red chilli- you can switch this for chilli powder or additional hot sauce. You might also choose to omit this if you are particularly sensitive to spice.
• Garlic - I tend to opt for fresh garlic but you can also use garlic paste or granules.
• Sesame seeds / furikake seasoning - a sprinkling adds a delightful nutty crunch to the finished dish. This is optional but highly recommended.

Tools & equipment:

• Medium to large frying pan - choose one that can hold the cooked pasta and sauce. If you don't have a big enough frying pan you can use a small one to cook the pancetta / mushrooms with the chilli and garlic and toss the cooked pasta with the sauce in the sauce pan you used to cook the pasta.
• Small jug or bowl - for mixing the sauce ingredients.
• Tongs - for tossing and serving the cooked spaghetti.

🧑‍🍳 How to make Spicy Miso Pasta

1. Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in a large saucepan of generously salted boiling water.

2. Make the sauce

Mix the miso paste, soy sauce and hot sauce in a small jug or bowl. Then beat in the eggs and stir in the grated parmesan.

3. Sauté the pancetta or mushrooms with fresh chilli and garlic

Pancetta / bacon lardons option: Place a medium to large frying pan on a medium to high heat and add the pancetta and bacon or pancetta and cook for a few minutes. Then add the fresh chilli and garlic and continue to sauté for a couple more minutes.

Vegetarian mushrooms option: Place a medium to large frying pan on a medium to high heat and add a little oil to the pan. Add the chilli when the oil is hot and fry for a few minutes. Then add the mushrooms and fry them until they start to brown. Then add the garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.

4. Toss it all together

When the spaghetti is ready be sure to reserve a little of the starchy pasta water before you drain it. Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the cooked mushrooms or pancetta, pour on the sauce and toss it all together. Serve immediately topped with scallions/spring onions and option sesame seeds or furikake seasoning.

👍 Top tips for perfect Spicy Miso Pasta

1. Ensure the pasta water is salted generously - don't hold back when salting the pasta water. It should be as salty as the ocean. If this makes you feel concerned about your sodium intake remember that most of the salt will be poured away when you drain the cooked pasta.
2. Reserve some of the starchy pasta water - it will be very valuable if you find that the pasta requires some additional moisture before serving.
3. Switch out the pancetta for mushrooms - mushrooms and miso are an excellent combination. Of course, you'll want to make the dish this way if you are vegetarian but it's also great option for omnivores who want to take a night off the meat.
4. Top the finished dish with sesame seeds or furikake seasoning - this is optional but highly recommenfed. A sprinkling of sesame seeds or furikake seasoning adds a lovely crunch and adds to the more Asian and umami flavours.

🙋 FAQs