Nutrition Awareness Month: Recipe of the Week – Spaghetti Carbonara

March is Nutrition Awareness Month and we're celebrating all things food by sharing our second delicious Recipe of the Week for care home staff to try with their residents, courtesy of the Oomph! On-Demand Wellbeing & Activities Platform. 

Engaging in the process of preparing Spaghetti Carbonara allows participants to experiment with ingredients, techniques, and flavours. This creativity in the kitchen can be deeply satisfying and boost one's culinary skills, enhancing their confidence and sense of accomplishment. 

Some discussion topics to engage with residents while cooking 

• Have you ever tried making pasta from scratch?  
• How do you like your pasta cooked – al dente or well-cooked?  
• Do you have any special family recipes or cooking tips for pasta dishes?  

How to adapt the recipe based on the individual circumstances of your residents? 

When preparing food together with residents in a care setting, there are certain adaptations that may need to be considered. These can ensure that the activity remains as inclusive as possible so that anyone can get involved. 

Adaptions for those who are visually impaired: 

• Use precise, descriptive words to define and describe pictures, materials, and instructions. 
• Ensure the environment that you are using to complete the activity is free from trip hazards and furniture does not extend into any walkways.  

 Adaptions for those that have a hearing impairment: 

• Make sure that as the facilitator you are aware of where you position yourself and ensure that you are close to the person to help explain any activities.  
• Face the person when speaking so that it provides them an opportunity to lip read and do not turn your back on them when providing instructions for the activity.  

 Adaptions for those living with dementia: 

• If using equipment, you may need to demonstrate how to use this first (use appropriate and safe equipment for the group – risk assessment needed) 
• Ensure the environment is clear from clutter, reduce any background noises as able, and ensure good lighting. A person living with dementia may need further lighting to help see and focus on daily tasks and activities.  

Adaptions for those that have a mobility impairment: 

• When cooking, provide easy-grip cutlery with chunky nonslip handles for anyone that may need extra stability and grip support.  
• Ensure that the environment is set up so that a person’s mobility aid is easily accessible to encourage safety and independence. 

What will you need? 

This tasty dish will be enough alone however there are some other ways to add to the session. For example, you could create an immersive atmosphere by playing traditional Italian music in the background. Decorate the cooking area or dining space with Italian-themed decorations, such as Italian flags, red, white, and green colour schemes, or tablecloths with Italian motifs. 

You will need: 

• Large pot  
• Frying pan  
• Mixing bowls  
• Whisk  
• Wooden spoon  
• Tongs  
• Colander  
• Serving bowls  

Ingredients:  

• 300g spaghetti  
• 150g pancetta or bacon, diced  
• 2 large eggs  
• 50g grated Pecorino Romano cheese  
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese  
• Freshly ground black pepper  
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)  
• Olive oil  

If you want to find out how to make this delicious spaghetti Carbonara, the full method is available on the Oomph! Wellbeing & Activities Platform, along with hundreds of other recipes. Our first recipe of the week, shrimp and chicken paella is available in full for you to try.  

Read here to find out more about Oomph! On-Demand