Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Here's a quick and easy meal. Warning: this is not a "low fat" recipe. I make this once or twice a year, and as long as you don't "supersize" your portions, you should not clog your arteries. Feel free to substitute, but this is the original:

*serves 5-6

1 pack of spaghetti noodles
1 pack of bacon
2 tbsp butter
1 small carton heavy cream
3 cloves garlic (optional)
3/4 cup grated cheese
1 egg, beaten
salt and pepper

Boil the spaghetti for 10-11 minutes. Drain.

Fry bacon till crisp. Set aside, then cut up to bits.

In a large pan, mix bacon fat, butter, cheese and cream (and garlic, optional) on low heat. Add salt and pepper. When cheese is melted, turn off the heat. Add the drained noodles and egg. Toss. Sprinkle bacon bits.

Serve while hot.