Search

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.

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.

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 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.

The appearance of the pasta can help you determine its quality. Dried pasta should be a translucent, creamy yellow color without any tint of gray. When held up to the light it should appear translucent, without signs of any air bubbles or dark specs.

When determining how much pasta to purchase, it is best to buy according to weight because it is difficult to measure the varying sizes and shapes of pasta. If following a recipe, purchase the amount required by the recipe.

Reading the food label or package will supply you with information to help you make a selection on which pasta to purchase. It also includes nutritional information. Whether the pasta you are purchasing is fresh or dried, the food label will indicate the type of flour used to produce the pasta and what flavoring agents have been used, if any.

Fish Cuts When shopping for fish, it is beneficial to know what the different types of cuts of fish are so that you know exactly what you are purchasing. The basic cuts are described below.

Selecting Cuts | Inspection and Grading | Look and Feel | Quantity to Buy Selecting Cuts A successful outcome in cooking lamb depends on matching the recipe or cooking method with an appropriate cut of lamb.

Eggshell and Yolk Color | Egg Size | Egg Grading | Egg Freshness When shopping for food items, it is often beneficial to learn something about the products before you purchase them.

Tips on Selecting Cuts | Terms | Description of Cuts | Inspection and GradingRead the Label | Look and Feel | Quantity to Buy | Purchasing in Quantity When shopping for pork there are several things that you need to consider so that you will be assured of purchasing the correct quantity, quality and type of pork to satisfy your needs.

Knowing a little about ham helps to insure that you are selecting ham that is the appropriate type and quality for the ham recipe you are preparing. See our Ham Cooking Times to be sure you are cooking the ham for the appropriate time to produce a safe and delicious ham.

Marketing Methods | Quality Factors | Purchasing Tips | Read the Label Olive oil has been a staple in the Mediterranean diet for centuries and has also become very popular in the United States as well.

Use the charts below to help determine how much to buy of the foods listed below when preparing a meal or a recipe for a specific number of people. Pasta Buying Guide | Rice Buying Guide | Egg Buying Guide | Meat Buying Guides Pasta Buying Guide The quantities in the chart below are approximates only.

Leavening Agents | Liquids | SaltsFats and Oils | Sweeteners | Other Flavoring Ingredients Leavening Agents Leavening agents are the substances that allow bread dough to rise.

Types of Wheat Flour | Types of Non-Wheat FlourImportance of Gluten | Wheat/Non-Wheat Flour Proportions Flour is the main ingredient in all types of breads. Different types of flour milled from wheat are most commonly used for making bread.

Generally the color of the pasta is a result from the flavoring agent used in the pasta. The taste from the flavoring agents is most often fairly mild. Shown below are some of the most common flavoring agents and how to add them to your homemade pasta.

A Guide for Selecting the Proper Wheat Flour It is wise to use flours specifically formulated for various baked goods, such as bread flour or cake flour, although all-purpose flour is suitable for a majority of items.

General Guidelines | Recommended Storage Methods for Whole Grains General Guidelines Like many other foods, grains are perishable; however, the shelf life of grains is usually much longer than that of most foods.

Most types of flour keep well in a sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark location. The original paper packaging used for many types of flour is fine for long term storage as long as the package has not been opened.