| 1. | Put the orecchiette in a large pan of boiling well-salted water. Cook until al dente, using the timing on the packet instructions as your guide. |
| 2. | Add the pancetta to a cold frying pan and place the pan over a medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, to allow the fat to render out of the pancetta. Once the pancetta starts to turn golden brown, remove from the pan and set aside to cool. |
| 3. | Put the egg yolks, Gruyère and thyme in a small bowl with a generous seasoning of pepper and a small pinch of salt. Add the cooled pancetta and the rendered fat and mix well. Whisk in a small splash of the water from the cooking pasta to warm the egg yolk mixture. |
| 4. | Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan along with the warmed egg yolk mixture. Add a generous splash of the cooking water then toss and stir everything together over a low heat for a minute or so. |
| 5. | Divide between 2 bowls and finish with a little extra Gruyère. |

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