Veggie carbonara recipe
 Smoked cheese replaces bacon in this creamy veggie version of spaghetti carbonara. Use sundried tomatoes for a more savoury taste, while semi-dried tomatoes will be sweeter. 450g/1lb spaghetti7 tbsp double cream1 garlic clove, crushed100g/3½oz smoked cheddar, grated freshly ground black pepper3 free-range eggs, beaten100g/3½oz baby spinach2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley60g/2oz sun-dried or semi-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and choppedgrated Parmesan, or similar vegetarian grating cheese 450g/1lb spaghetti 7 tbsp double cream 1 garlic clove, crushed 100g/3½oz smoked cheddar, grated freshly ground black pepper 3 free-range eggs, beaten 100g/3½oz baby spinach 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 60g/2oz sun-dried or semi-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped grated Parmesan, or similar vegetarian grating cheese Method Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to packet instructions. Meanwhile, put the cream and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the smoked cheddar and allow to melt over a low heat. You may need to stir it vigorously to make a smooth mixture. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.Add the beaten egg to the cheese sauce a little at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is smoothly incorporated. (If there are a few lumps of cheese, it really doesn't matter.) Season with freshly ground black pepper.When cooked, drain the spaghetti in a large colander. Return the spaghetti pan to the heat and add the spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach softens, adding a splash of water if it begins to stick. Stir the spaghetti in to the spinach. Pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti and spinach. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and parsley. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is completely coated. Serve immediately, preferably with a crisp green salad and a grating of Parmesan. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to packet instructions. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to packet instructions. Meanwhile, put the cream and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the smoked cheddar and allow to melt over a low heat. You may need to stir it vigorously to make a smooth mixture. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, put the cream and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the smoked cheddar and allow to melt over a low heat. You may need to stir it vigorously to make a smooth mixture. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Add the beaten egg to the cheese sauce a little at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is smoothly incorporated. (If there are a few lumps of cheese, it really doesn't matter.) Season with freshly ground black pepper. Add the beaten egg to the cheese sauce a little at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is smoothly incorporated. (If there are a few lumps of cheese, it really doesn't matter.) Season with freshly ground black pepper. When cooked, drain the spaghetti in a large colander. Return the spaghetti pan to the heat and add the spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach softens, adding a splash of water if it begins to stick. Stir the spaghetti in to the spinach. When cooked, drain the spaghetti in a large colander. Return the spaghetti pan to the heat and add the spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach softens, adding a splash of water if it begins to stick. Stir the spaghetti in to the spinach. Pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti and spinach. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and parsley. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is completely coated. Serve immediately, preferably with a crisp green salad and a grating of Parmesan. Pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti and spinach. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and parsley. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is completely coated. Serve immediately, preferably with a crisp green salad and a grating of Parmesan. Recipe tips Warming the serving bowls up ahead of time will help make the pasta stay creamy and hot for longer.