Quick Wins: Pasta or Pasta?

One of the worlds most classic dilemmas is the age old question "Which came first the chicken or the egg?" But only slightly less classic is the question, "Which should I use, Dry Pasta or Fresh Pasta?"

People, people, please!....Breathe easy....I got this...Let's keep this simple. I'll give you some of the basic bullet points and rules of pastas, but remember when it comes to what it is best served with, there is NO law. In fact, it can be fun to break the law. And you know I always recommend trying new things. So if you want to do a fresh pasta with Ragu....by all means please do. Why not? I have.

DRY PASTA:

Made From: Water, Salt and Flour (Semolina is most common and BTW the law in Italy, it also gives it it's yellow color)
Storing: In the cupboard, if stored properly, almost indefinitely, but just go with the date on the box
Serving Size: A half pound serves two people
Cook Until: It's just "al dente" (to the bite in Italian) meaning the pasta gives a little bit of resistance when you bite down on it
Best Served: With your "big" sauces, your Ragu, Soups and baked dishes. (Also re-heats better than fresh)

FRESH PASTA:

Made From: Egg and Flour (What is called "00" or High Gluten flour is used)
Storing: Because of the egg this will not keep remotely as long as the dried, In the fridge for a few days (per package or you can freeze for a few months). I would freeze only the stuffed fresh pastas (Tortellini, Raviolis etc. as they seem defrost better)
Serving Size: Take the dried serving size and add 50%
Cook Until: It's just BEFORE "al dente" as you will be cooking this in the sauce and it cooks faster than dried. ALSO use MORE water than you typically boil pasta in as the flour from the fresh pasta can make it starchy.
Best Served: With your "delicate" sauces, your olive oil, butter or cream dishes (Alfredo.....yum)

Now I could go on for days about pastas and quality etc etc. But this is a "Quick Win" and remember there are high quality fresh and dried pastas. Just because it's fresh doesn't necessarily make it better. And in the end it still all comes down to taste, test, taste again...

TPC NOTE: Oh there is one rule that can't be broken....always...ALWAYS...have a nice glass of wine while you're cooking.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC