Search

Basic Types | Flavors and Colors | Pasta Shapes | Pasta Sauces Pasta is a basic staple ingredient used in cooking. It is available in hundreds of shapes worldwide and in many different flavors.

  Italian Pasta Sauces | Other Types of Italian Sauces   Italian Pasta Sauces The pasta sauces of Italy are made from any of a variety of savory toppings and mixtures of ingredients that enhance the flavor of the pasta dish being served.

Boiling is the method most often used for cooking pasta. It is also used in conjunction with some of the other cooking methods, such as stir-frying and baking. When boiling pasta it is important to use a sufficient amount of water, generally a quart of water per 4 ounces of pasta is satisfactory.

  White Sauces | Brown Sauces | Tomato Sauces (or Red Sauces) | Egg Yolk and Butter SaucesEgg Yolk and Oil Sauces | Oil and Vinegar Sauces | Flavored Butter Sauces   White Sauces In French cooking, traditional white sauces are one of two types: those made with hot milk added to a white roux (such as Béchamel sauce or Mornay sauce) or sauces made with hot broth or stock added to a white roux (such as Velouté sauce).

There are numerous pasta products available, consisting of dried and fresh pasta. Some products are available both in a dried and fresh form but there are many more dried products than fresh.

There are many varieties of pre-made sauces available in food stores and specialty shops that can be used with all varieties of pasta. Experimenting with the pre-made sauces will be the best way to determine what fits your personal preference.

When shopping for pasta there are several details that you need to consider to be assured of purchasing the quantity, quality and type of pasta or pasta ingredients to satisfy your needs.

Tubular pasta is any pasta that is hollow through the center, forming a tube. They are available in many different sizes and shapes. Some tubes are long and narrow while others are short and wide.

Shopping Tips | Homemade Pasta Tips | Reheating Tips | Handling and Safety TipsChecking Doneness | Light Tips | Cooking Tips Shopping Tips: When purchasing fresh pasta, it is important that you check for the expiration date to ensure that the pasta will be fresh when you are ready to use it.

Contamination Prevention | Cooking Safety | Proper Storage Contamination Prevention Cleanliness: A clean working environment is essential in the prevention of contamination in working with pasta and other foods.

Most pastas have a similar flavor but when the sauce is added, the pasta and sauce create their own unique flavor. There are many types of sauces that can be used but some go better with certain types of pasta than others.

  Tomato Sauces | Barbecue Sauces | Hot Sauces | Grill Sauces | Seafood Sauces Tomato Sauces Tomato Paste Tomato paste is made from fresh tomatoes that have been cooked for several hours and then strained.

  England | Spain | Greece | Other Countries and Regions   England Worcestershire Sauce A popular condiment that has a savory flavor and is used to season a wide variety of dishes.

Plain pasta and pasta dishes can be reheated in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop. The method that works best depends on the quantity and type of pasta or pasta dish you are reheating.

There are a large variety of pasta shapes and noodles available. When selecting the variety of pasta you are going to purchase, you must consider the size and shape of the pasta and which varieties will go best with the sauce or dish you are preparing.

The equipment needed to make fresh homemade pasta consists of fairly basic items. At a minimum you will need a work surface, measuring cups and spoons, rolling pin, knife, and your hands for mixing and kneading.

Sauces Defined | Other Common Sauce Terms Sauces Defined Sauces are liquids of various thicknesses that are flavored or seasoned to enhance the flavor of food. Sauces can be sweet, sour, spicy, or savory and may be added to the food to become part of a main dish or used as an accompaniment to the food being prepared.

Stuffed pasta consists of fresh pasta sheets that are stuffed with a filling. After the filling has been added, the pasta sheets are folded over and sealed, or another sheet is placed on top and the edges are sealed.

Pasta was once considered to be fattening and have very little nutritional value. Nutritional experts now realize the value of pasta in our diet. Grain based foods, such as pasta, are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Ribbon pasta, which is flat strands of pasta, is available in different lengths, widths and thickness. Some are short and wide, while others are long and narrow. Ribbon pasta can have straight or wavy edges and many varieties are available fresh and dried.