Hello to my Improv family! I am Geno Fontanoza, Corporate Executive Chef for Levity Live. I oversee culinary for our Improv/Levity Live comedy clubs as well as our Copper Blues venues and our Umami Burger Irvine restaurant. I have been cooking professionally for more than 25 years and eating professionally for 40! I am thrilled to share with you some gourmet recipes that are not only easy to make but are perfect for the times we live in today. Most of these items are probably already in your pantry, and the rest are easily gathered from a quick trip to the supermarket. So have fun, taste everything as you’re cooking, and eat up!

Quarantine Cooking Series:

Pantry Carbonara

Ingredients (Serves 2)
– 1/2 # dried pasta (any kind will do; I like using linguine).
– 2 whole eggs.
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
– 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
– 4 oz. bologna or hot dogs, medium dice recommend (Bacon will work as a substitute).
– 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
– 1/8 teaspoon of dried chili flakes.
– 1/2 cup of baby spinach, or any greens you may have handy in your crisper!
– 1 Tablespoon of unsalted butter.
– 2 Teaspoons of fresh lemon juice.
– Salt and lots of ground pepper to elevate the taste!

  1. Pasta Water

    Get your pasta water going!Make sure to salt the water, as pasta absorbs the flavor of it’s surroundings! Once it’s boiling, add your dried pasta and cook until al dente (this usually takes 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness of your pasta).

  2. Mixing

    In a small mixing bowl, whisk your eggs until fully combined. Add the parmesan cheese and still well. Set aside.

  3. Saute Time

    In a large saute pan, add you olive oil, minced garlic, chili flakes, and chopped hot dogs (or bologna), and saute until meat is nice and browned. Continue to add spinach to pan and saute until lightly wilted.

  4. Drain Pasta

    Drain pasta well and add to saute pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of the pasta water to start a “sauce”.

  5. The Mixture

    Take the pan off the heat and pour in the egg/parmesan cheese mixture. This will thicken up tghe sauce and the temperature of the freshly boiled pasta will cook the egg. Stir vigorously to coat the noodles.

  6. Finishing Touches

    Finish with pat of butter and and a squeeze of lemon juice. Seaon with salt and lots of black pepper to elevate the taste.