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Soup pasta consists of pasta shapes that range in size from small to very tiny. The larger of the soup pastas are used in thicker based soups and the tiny and smaller pasta shapes are used in light or broth based soups.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The amount of time required to cook pasta to its proper doneness varies depending on its size, shape and thickness. Also, whether the pasta is fresh or dried greatly affects the amount of cooking time required.

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.

When making homemade pasta you will need to decide what type of flour you want to use. If making a flavored pasta that requires something other than a different variety of flour, you will need to purchase the necessary flavoring agent.

Light Tips for Pasta Dishes Prepare dishes flavored with vegetables and herbs rather than meats and cream sauces. When possible, use low-fat cheese, such as ricotta or cottage cheese in place of other cheeses.

crock pot, slow cooker, slow cooking

Asian Noodles Asian noodles consist of strands that vary in shape, width, and length. Many Asian noodles are very long in length, symbolizing longevity. They can be thin straight sticks, flat strands, round strands, and wavy strands.

Cheeses of Italy: Parmesan to Trugole Parmesan Parmesan is a well-known semi-hard to hard Italian cheese made from partially skimmed cow's milk. Parmesan cheese can be purchased as a young cheese or as an aged cheese.

Types of Flour Ground from Wheat One of the primary reasons for the popularity of wheat flour is due to its gluten forming capacity when the flour is mixed with liquid. Gluten is the substance that provides dough with elasticity and the ability to stretch as the leavening agent produces carbon dioxide gas, which enables the dough to rise effectively.

Fresh Beans | Fresh Bean Preparation | Fresh Bean Cooking | Fresh Bean TipsDried Beans | Dried Bean Preparation | Dried Bean Cooking Beans A generic name given to various plants in the legume family.

  Cheeses of Mexico and the Caribbean: Queso to Requeson Queso Queso is the Spanish word for cheese. In the United States, the word is commonly used as a name for a type of Mexican cheese dip, as well as for numerous varieties of Mexican cheese.

  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.

Types of Dips | Common Base Ingredients Dips are most often prepared with a mixture of ingredients that complement other foods including raw vegetables, chips, crackers, or toast, which are dipped into the mixture; hence the name, dip.

Eggplants A slightly sweet, tender fruit covered with a shiny skin that ranges in color from dark purple, which is the most familiar, to red, yellow, green, or white, depending on the variety.