All of us have heard the cooking term ‘al dente’ mentioned when talking about eating good pasta. In order to understand Italian cuisine, one has to have a basic knowledge of the fundamental ingredients that go into making good pasta before learning the techniques.
Select the right pasta for the dish you have in mind
It is possible to purchase fresh as well as dry pasta. Read the ingredients carefully when you are out shopping. You should always plan your menu beforehand so that you are able to pick up all the ingredients required to prepare the dish. Since there are a multitude of varieties available, it will be easier for you to plan ahead to avoid confusion.
Italians do not add much salt when preparing pasta. Use a large pot and fill it with plenty of water. A good rule of thumb is to use 100 gms of pasta per person. Stir the pasta now and then and check for salt. Follow the instructions on the packet to ensure that the pasta is cooked through and tender though firm to the teeth. Fresh pasta and thinner varieties do not take long to cook so stir and check constantly in order to get the best results.
Save a little of the water used for cooking the pasta as the starch in the water adds body to the sauce that is added for the dish. The sauce that you prepare should complement the type of pasta. Pastas such as spaghetti and fettucine are shaped simply and taste good with subtle sauces whereas pastas that have complex shapes require strong flavors and thick sauces. A good tip is to use butter along with olive oil after draining the pasta when it is hot as this will help to being the sauce.
Here are 7 great ways to cook pasta that you can practice in your own kitchen.
1. Serve with a simple pasta sauce
In a large pan, add some garlic infused oil and throw in some herbs of your choice. Use Italian seasoning or oregano. Add a little onion to this and stir so that the herbs do not burn. Add a few cloves of garlic and stir well. Now empty a can of crushed tomatoes into the saucepan and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 15 minutes and you will have a basic sauce ready to mix with the pasta. Sauces can be prepared in advance and let to freeze in containers. Add seasonings such as thyme and more oregano to enhance the flavor.
2. Use Cream, fresh or hard cheese to thicken pasta
When you do not want to go to the trouble of making tomato sauces add about half a cup of pecorino, parmesan or fresh crème with some tossed green and mix till creamy. To this, grab a bunch of basil leaves, chiffonade and sprinkle the same to bring home the authentic flavors from Italy. Drizzle over some good quality extra virgin olive oil and a dollop of butter and tuck into some wholesome pasta after a hard day at work.
3. Keep a jar of Pesto Handy
Make a batch of homemade pesto using versatile ingredients when you have time on your hands and use it when serving up a gourmet special to impress a guest who drops in unexpectedly. Here is a basic recipe for pesto that you can use and make a few additions according to your preference for future use.
1 cup of basil (lightly packed)
2 cloves of peeled and diced garlic
¼ cup of toasted walnuts or pine nuts
Lime juice, salt and extra virgin oil to blend
Combine walnuts, garlic and basil. Add a drizzle of oil and pulse in food processor
Pour into a bowl and add lime juice and salt to taste.
Always use fresh basil as it oxidizes quickly. You can also blanch basil leaves beforehand to retain the rich green color but do not add cheese if you are planning to freeze the pesto. Use an ice cube tray and then collect the cubes in a container that is freezer-safe. Sprinkle parmesan cheese liberally on the pasta before serving.
4. Innovative ways to serve up amazing Pasta dishes
Use sun-dried tomatoes or broccoli and hazelnut when making a pesto sauce. You can find several recipes online that are creative and will stimulate your palate. For weight watchers, check out low fat pesto recipes or if you have no such problems be adventurous and use cilantro or spinach with cashews to come up with innovative ideas of transforming the humble pasta to a creation fit for the gods!
5. Exciting Seafood pasta that always pleases
A variety of seafood is available for experimenting with pasta. Use clams, squid, prawns or mussels for that yummy exotic Mediterranean flavor that you hanker. Learn to use those sauces that you find in grocery stores that help you achieve perfection if you do not have time to make your own creations. Tomato sauces are good accompaniments if you are not happy with cream sauces.
6. Various types of meat can be added to bring on those authentic Italian flavors
Use succulent pieces of chicken, beef, lamb or pork to infuse different flavors in your pasta. Meat lovers can select choice pieces of meat or use ground meat to mix into their pastas. Make sure to use those relevant sauces and top the dish with grated Parmesano and good extra virgin olive oil. Add a few green or black olives and there is no guarantee that your friends will leave you any leftovers for the next day.
7. Use leftovers to spike up your pasta dish on rainy days
Pasta is a versatile dish that does not require permission to throw in any leftovers. Spike the dish with some meats, vegetables and drizzle in your favorite pesto sauce. Mix it with some hearty mushroom soup, shredded cheese and onions. Add capers, parsley, black or green olives and you have yourself a sumptuous dinner that will be on par with any famous restaurant and does not put a dent on your wallet.
Buon appetito!
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