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Rethinking How To Cook Pasta
Topic Started: Feb 26 2009, 04:17 AM (420 Views)
QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/dining/25curi.html?em
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
That's very interesting because I have always cooked pasta in 1/2 to 1/3 of the water they recommend.

There are several advantages. First, the time, second, the space - when I was in an apartment I loved except the stove which would have taken a long time to boil 6 quarts of water, thirdly it's just easier to use a smaller pot when making the quantities of pasta to feed two or three people, and then a smaller quantity of water does not boil over. I just stir it from time to time to make sure it does not stick together. Turns out fine.

Go figure. I was cutting edge and did not know it.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Phlebas
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Bull-Carp
I never use a lot of water. Mine comes out fine.

Here's another trick re making lasagna: don't boild the pasta before you assemble the lasagna. If you put in the lasagna pasta dry (precooked), the process of baking cooks the pasta so it is a nice al dente. Also, you don't have this mess of liquid at the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Random FML: Today, I was fired by my boss in front of my coworkers. It would have been nice if I could have left the building before they started celebrating. FML

The founding of the bulk of the world's nation states post 1914 is based on self-defined nationalisms. The bulk of those national movements involve territory that was ethnically mixed. The foundation of many of those nation states involved population movements in the aftermath. When the only one that is repeatedly held up as unjust and unjustifiable is the Zionist project, the term anti-semitism may very well be appropriate. - P*D


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big al
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Bull-Carp
Absolutely right, Phlebas. And don't worry about a particular type (like the ones labelled no cooking required). My wife has used regular or whole grain noodles for several years with perfect results.

Big Al
Location: Western PA

"jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen."
-bachophile
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Also Ronzoni Smart Choice is a regular pasta but has 6 or 8 grams of fiber per 2 oz serving. I really like the stuff.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Luke's Dad
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Emperor Pengin
I've never really paid attention to measuring how much water was in the pot. Just guesstimated whether it was enough that the pasta wouldn't absorb it all and burn.
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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The 89th Key
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I had pasta for lunch today.

...sorry, didn't really have anything to contribute to the discussion.
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Mikhailoh
Feb 26 2009, 04:49 AM
That's very interesting because I have always cooked pasta in 1/2 to 1/3 of the water they recommend.

There are several advantages. First, the time, second, the space - when I was in an apartment I loved except the stove which would have taken a long time to boil 6 quarts of water, thirdly it's just easier to use a smaller pot when making the quantities of pasta to feed two or three people, and then a smaller quantity of water does not boil over. I just stir it from time to time to make sure it does not stick together. Turns out fine.

Go figure. I was cutting edge and did not know it.
Yep. I do the exact same thing, for the same reasons.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Phlebas
Feb 26 2009, 05:53 AM
I never use a lot of water. Mine comes out fine.

Here's another trick re making lasagna: don't boild the pasta before you assemble the lasagna. If you put in the lasagna pasta dry (precooked), the process of baking cooks the pasta so it is a nice al dente. Also, you don't have this mess of liquid at the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Indeedy; that's how my mom makes it, and she's quite the authority for all things lasagna.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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brenda
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..............
Aqua Letifer
Feb 26 2009, 09:55 AM
Phlebas
Feb 26 2009, 05:53 AM
I never use a lot of water. Mine comes out fine.

Here's another trick re making lasagna: don't boild the pasta before you assemble the lasagna. If you put in the lasagna pasta dry (precooked), the process of baking cooks the pasta so it is a nice al dente. Also, you don't have this mess of liquid at the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Indeedy; that's how my mom makes it, and she's quite the authority for all things lasagna.
And you're posting her recipe when??? :D
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
brenda
Feb 26 2009, 10:18 AM
Aqua Letifer
Feb 26 2009, 09:55 AM
Phlebas
Feb 26 2009, 05:53 AM
I never use a lot of water. Mine comes out fine.

Here's another trick re making lasagna: don't boild the pasta before you assemble the lasagna. If you put in the lasagna pasta dry (precooked), the process of baking cooks the pasta so it is a nice al dente. Also, you don't have this mess of liquid at the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Indeedy; that's how my mom makes it, and she's quite the authority for all things lasagna.
And you're posting her recipe when??? :D
Soon as she starts talking to me again I make it back home. :whome:
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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brenda
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..............
Aqua Letifer
Feb 26 2009, 10:20 AM
brenda
Feb 26 2009, 10:18 AM
Aqua Letifer
Feb 26 2009, 09:55 AM
Phlebas
Feb 26 2009, 05:53 AM
I never use a lot of water. Mine comes out fine.

Here's another trick re making lasagna: don't boild the pasta before you assemble the lasagna. If you put in the lasagna pasta dry (precooked), the process of baking cooks the pasta so it is a nice al dente. Also, you don't have this mess of liquid at the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Indeedy; that's how my mom makes it, and she's quite the authority for all things lasagna.
And you're posting her recipe when??? :D
Soon as she starts talking to me again I make it back home. :whome:
Maybe you better make some for her, too??
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I'[ll tell you what I want. I want the recipe for Bucca Di Beppo's lasagna. That was the BEST damn lasagna I have ever tasted. I'm pretty sure they cooked the noodles dry, because the dish itself obviously had little water in it. Man is that stuff good.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Free Rider
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Fulla-Carp
Lasagne is the perfect food. If I had to eat just one thing for the rest of my life, Lasagne or Pizza would do me fine!
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Wow! Something that is actually useful from the NYT! :eek:
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Mikhailoh
Feb 26 2009, 12:08 PM
I'[ll tell you what I want. I want the recipe for Bucca Di Beppo's lasagna. That was the BEST damn lasagna I have ever tasted. I'm pretty sure they cooked the noodles dry, because the dish itself obviously had little water in it. Man is that stuff good.
Based on your recc, MS and I are going to have to try Bucca. I haven't been there in years, it always seemed to me to be a good place for a large party with lots of adequate but not stellar food.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I suspect that most of their stuff is pretty mediocre. The Caesar salad sure was lame. But that lasagna was, IMO, great. Very unique.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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kenny
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I do not cook pasta in a consistent way.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
No sh!t? :lol2:
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Riley
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HOLY CARP!!!
Free Rider
Feb 26 2009, 12:27 PM
Lasagne is the perfect food. If I had to eat just one thing for the rest of my life, Lasagne or Pizza would do me fine!
Pizza is the majority of my diet anyway! :lol2:
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musicasacra
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HOLY CARP!!!
ivorythumper
Feb 26 2009, 04:52 PM
Mikhailoh
Feb 26 2009, 12:08 PM
I'[ll tell you what I want. I want the recipe for Bucca Di Beppo's lasagna. That was the BEST damn lasagna I have ever tasted. I'm pretty sure they cooked the noodles dry, because the dish itself obviously had little water in it. Man is that stuff good.
Based on your recc, MS and I are going to have to try Bucca. I haven't been there in years, it always seemed to me to be a good place for a large party with lots of adequate but not stellar food.
I've never had a lasagna at a restaurant that I've liked. Ever. The sauce is the most important part for me.

So far I only like my own lasagna. I use a marinara sauce (nice tomatoes) with wine. I keep trying other lasagnas, still waiting for one I like.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Buca's is not drowned in sauce - that is what I like about it. There is a less than usual amount of very tasty, very fresh tomato sauce, but you can really taste all the ingredients. You may not like it if you like tons of sauce.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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