Spaghetti Aglio Olio With Bacon And Garlic Breadcrumbs - bacon

Method

• Put slices of bacon in heavy duty skillet. Over medium-low heat saute bacon, turning frequently until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and place between layers of paper towel on a plate. Set bacon aside.
• Put bread slices on baking sheet. Place in a 350°F oven for about five minutes. Remove pan from oven and when bread is cool, tear into rough chunks. Put bread in food processor and whirl until bread has turned into coarse crumbs. (Alternatively, you can make crumbs by putting bread chunks in a ziploc bag and crushing with a rolling pin.) In small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. When oil is warm, add bread crumbs and stir to combine. After about 2-3 minutes, crumbs will turn golden and toasty. Remove from heat, put in bowl and set aside.
• Fill large pot with salted water and place on stove under high heat. While waiting for water to boil, put 1/3 cup oil and garlic in heavy skillet, stir and place on stove. Turn heat on very low, stirring occasionally. When water in big pot comes to a boil, add dry pasta to water and stir. When water comes back to a boil, turn heat down to medium-high.
• Check on garlic. (If you like crushed red papper flakes, add them now -- about 1/2 teaspoon is good.) When garlic starts to bubble in the oil (after about 5-10 minutes), stir occasionally and watch carefully. The garlic is finished cooking when it turns translucent, the edges are about to turn golden, and it's fragrant. Immediately remove from heat. Add chopped bacon and 2 tablespoons garlic and oil mixture to bowl containing breadcrumbs. Stir to combine.
• When pasta is al dente, drain in a colander, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Remove about 3 tablespoons oil and garlic from skillet and set aside in small bowl for garnish. Add cooked pasta to skillet containing oil and garlic mixture. With tongs mix thoroughly until all strands of spaghetti are evenly coated with oil. (If it looks too dry, add some of the pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until consistency seems right.) Add grated cheese and three quarters of the flavored bread crumbs and continue to mix.
• Now it's time to plate! Put a mound of spaghetti in a bowl or on a plate, dress with a little of the reserved garlic and oil mixture. Add another tablespoon or two of reserved bread crumbs. Shower with a bit of fresh parsley. Drizzle on a little more olive oil, if desired. Serve with crusty fresh bread for dipping into the garlic and bacon flavored oil. A glass of dry white wine also goes well with this pasta. Mangiare!