Pasta........what is your favourite shape??

I like those pasta bows....sorry I don't know the right name for them!

 

@Fern4 Farfalle !!

Val

 

You're a quick learner, Val!

I keep fusilli in the house but I do like a lasagne now and again (with home made coleslaw and crusty bread )

So, how come you have expanded into pasta now, Val?

 

Thanks Val!

 

Perhaps you would prefer it more 'al dente' which to you and me means undercooked and chewy!!!!

My Sons' idea, he loves it and persuaded me to try it, he also likes it tossed in olive oil
but I don't like the taste of olive oil, guess I am just too set in my ways!!!

Val

 

i like the heinz pasta letters. and the smiley faces. :-)

 

My favourite shaped pasta is action man bow tie.

 

haha I hope thats not all you wear

 

Homemade ravioli - yum
I am too much of a chuck it all in cook to make them - but on high days and holidays my husband and son have a man day in the kitchen - them boys can surely cook!
As you like potatoes - have you tried gnocchi - it can be bought in most supermarkets in the fridges or by the dried pasta in vac packs.
To have a try, use it with the same sauce as you use for your pasta, then if you like it, like pasta there are loads of sauce variations to play with.
If you like it, gnocchi is dead easy to make from fresh with left over potato!
Hope you don't mind the suggestion - just thought whilst you are experimenting!

 

I have never tried gnocchi but thanks for the suggestion, I'm still not sure that I actually like pasta.

Val

 

Love Gnocchi. home made, so yummy. If you find it in the store get it in the frozen section. yummy. cooked up with truffle oil, salt and pepper.

 

I'm not overly keen on the taste of olive oil (eggs and mushrooms have to be done in sunflower oil), but mashed potato made with a really good olive oil is suberb!

 

Did you see Gino D'acampo's Italian Escape last night ? He was in the pasta capital of Italy , Gragnano near Naples . The main shop had over 5000 varieties of pasta , most of it hand made and air dried ! Great recipes on his show , they seem very simple even for a culinary calamity like me

 

Pasta should be simple. Sweat down a few cherry toms (halved) with a pinch of sugar and salt, wee splash of balsamic vinegar (adding a few onion seeds if desired), add a wee bit of water as they break down if needed and then right at the end crumble a bit of Wensleydale, Cheshire or similar cheese into it. Fold into the pasta and top with chopped watercress. Takes as long as it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta! Simple fresh tasting food at its best!

 

I like all your ingredients except the wee! lol! I like that you are using english cheeses and the tomato recipe sounds lovely - will try!