| Pasta has existed since the days of the Roman | | | | time, but is quite easy and well worth the effort. |
| Empire and remains one of the most versatile | | | | You can mix the dough by hand or prepare it in a |
| cooking ingredients, as no storage room or | | | | food processor. Pasta may be colored and |
| cupboard should be without it. It can be combined | | | | flavored with extra ingredients that are usually |
| with meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, or even a simple | | | | added with the beaten egg. |
| herb sauce to create a mouthwatering and | | | | To cook pasta, first bring a large pan of lightly |
| nutritious meal within minutes. | | | | salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and one |
| Most pasta is made from durum wheat flour and | | | | tablespoon of olive oil, but do not cover the pot |
| contains protein and carbohydrates. It is a good | | | | or the water will boil over. Quickly bring the water |
| source of slow-release energy and has the | | | | back to a rolling boil and avoid overcooking. When |
| additional advantage of being value for money. | | | | the pasta is tender, but still firm to the bite, drain |
| There are as many as 200 different pasta shapes | | | | and toss with butter, olive oil, or your prepared |
| and about three times as many names for them. | | | | sauce. The cooking times provided here are |
| New shapes are being designed and named allt | | | | guidelines only: |
| the time and the same shape might be called a | | | | - Fresh unfilled pasta: 2-3 minutes |
| different name in different regions in Itally. Some | | | | - Fresh filled pasta: 8-10 minutes |
| types of pasta are the agnolotti, anelli, bucatini, | | | | - Dried unfilled pasta: 10-12 minutes |
| cannelloni, capalletti, ditali, elicje, farfalle, fettuccine, | | | | - Dried filled pasta: 15-20 minutes |
| fusilli, lasagne, linguini, macaroni, penne, ravioli, | | | | Pasta can be used to make anything, from soups |
| rigatoni, spaghetti and tagliatelle. Many can be | | | | to more substantial pasta-based meals, which are |
| found in both dried and fresh forms, but unless | | | | as delicious and unusual starter, or as a quick and |
| you have access to a good, Italian delicatessen, it | | | | easy lunch or light supper. Others are subtle and |
| is probably not worth buying fresh unfilled pasta, | | | | delicate. Combining vegetables, meat, fish and |
| even from supermarkets that sell high-quality | | | | cheese with every type of pasta, from linguine to |
| tortellini, capalletti, ravioli, and agnolotti. Best of all | | | | lumache, one can enjoy a nutritional and delicious |
| is to make fresh pasta at home. It takes little | | | | meal from start to finish. |