TRENDING PASTA

Beet PASTA

Spelt pasta, chick pea, organic, spinach, kale, lentil and chocolate dessert pasta. The new trend in pasta is part of the “NEW NORMAL”. Healthy pasta with nutritious veggies have kicked up our pasta -another notch! Now, that we are homebound, we may be more inventive with our meals and at the same time keep the cost down.

Last night, we had mushroom quinoa pasta. My sister said, ” This pasta is really good. What did you do? I explained how I prepared the pasta. My sis also said, “You must share your pasta secret on your blog. 💖 And, I have selfish reasons. I need a copy to print out..for me!”

PERFECT PASTA

Heart Smart PASTA

Perfectly cooked pasta is called “al dente” , which in Italian means “to the tooth.” Al dente pasta is cooked just enough to retain a firm texture while still pliable.
MY COOKING SECRET: I cook my pasta to ‘AL DENTE’. I start to check my pasta a few minutes before the recommended cooking time, to ensure perfectly cooked pasta!🍝

INGREDIENTS

1 quart water (approx.)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp of oil
3-4 cloves of garlic.
Pasta – of your choice

How To MEASURE Pasta For Your Dinner Guests?

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large pot boil 4 cups of water and 1 1/2 tsp of salt, for every 3 1/2 ounces of pasta. These are the proportions according to the classic and famous Silver Spoon cookbook. Optionally, add a few cloves of garlic to the water. I’ve always done this when cooking my pasta.
When the water comes to a rolling boil add the pasta. Boil for 8-10 minutes. In the meantime, heat oil, garlic and butter in a fry pan. You may add mushrooms, basil, spinach and parsley. (or, your choosing). Do not let garlic brown. Then, set aside until pasta is ready.
TESTING PASTA FOR DONENESS
After 8 minutes, take out one small segment of pasta. You may notice that the outside of the pasta is cooked and the inside is still hard. This is your guide for the next test – 1 to 2 minutes later.

I sometimes test the pasta 3 or 4 times. I like my pasta as perfect as possible. Cook well and you will keep the flavour of the pasta. If your pasta is cooked too long, you get “pastey pasta”. And, frankly it tastes like paste.

Quinoa Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms, Sun Dried Tomatoes, garlic,butter and oil.

PASTA PROVIDES ENERGY!
1. Pasta is one of best sources of good carbohydrates. Runners and rowers have pasta the night before a race. Carbohydrates provide glucose to the body, which is an essential fuel for the muscles and the brain.
2. Pasta helps repair cells and tissue, rebuilds muscle and strengthens hair, nails and skin.
3. One serving of cooked pasta ( about one cup ) has 210 calories, one gram of fat, 43 grams of carbs, three grams of fiber, and six grams of protein.
Make sure you have your favorite vegetables with your pasta. Mushrooms, broccoli, grilled asparagus or roasted peppers are so tasty with your pasta. It is not a main course. Keep your pasta serving down to about one cup.

MY FAVORITE PASTA MAKER – MOM
It started on a Sunday afternoon. After church, mom comes over for our traditional Sunday afternoon coffee. The coffee maker is heating up. As I reach for the cups, I smile and say, ” Let’s make pasta for dinner tonight!” To this day, Mom and I still enjoy making fresh pasta on Sunday afternoons. No Sunday goes by without fresh pasta on the dinner table. On hot, summer days, cold pasta salads are the main event.
My favorite pasta maker!