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Old 28-07-2011, 10:34
21stCenturyBoy
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Just a little thread in honour of pasta, which, in my opinion, is possibly the best foodstuff ever created!

My background is heavily linked with pasta, and as a family we've been eating it for three or four main meals a week (not to mention lunchtimes) since before I can remember.

What is your favourite kind of pasta and what do you like to go with your pasta? Any interesting pasta-based recipes you'd like to share?
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:41
indianwells
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I love pasta too. A simple Spaghetti Aglio Oglio with an ice cold glass of Pinot Griggio is heaven to me!
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:44
RAINBOWGIRL22
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I love. love, love pasta (I am a carb fiend in general though and also adore the potato in its various forms!!)

My new healthy lifestyle means I have gone from having pasta 3/4 times per week to just once a week - if that (oh and it's normally wholemeal pasta penne we have now )

Angel hair spaghetti was a fave in our household when we were eating lots of pasta but if someone held a gun to my head and made me choose one type of pasta for life I'd for for the humble bog standard spaghetti

(the Pinto Grigio sounds good iw - my sauce of choice would have to be the simple yet delightful Arrabiata)
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:48
21stCenturyBoy
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I'd stick with Spaghetti, too.

It's so versatile and goes with pretty much any dressing. Although I like to keep my pasta sauce as simple as possible- tomatoes, olive oil and garlic is sometimes all I use.
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:49
RAINBOWGIRL22
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I'd stick with Spaghetti, too.

It's so versatile and goes with pretty much any dressing. Although I like to keep my pasta sauce as simple as possible- tomatoes, olive oil and garlic is sometimes all I use.
Add some chilli flakes and that is Arrabiata
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:53
21stCenturyBoy
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Add some chilli flakes and that is Arrabiata
It is indeed!

Have you ever made your own pasta?
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Old 28-07-2011, 10:54
RAINBOWGIRL22
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It is indeed!

Have you ever made your own pasta?
Nope - I'd love to but my kitchen is the size of a shoe box!

Do you make your own?
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Old 28-07-2011, 11:00
21stCenturyBoy
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Nope - I'd love to but my kitchen is the size of a shoe box!

Do you make your own?
Ocassionally but space is a problem here too!

I have relatives in Italy who do but they are blessed with more area than us! It does taste better fresh, but a lot of the stuff you buy in the supermarkets runs a very close second!

Slightly O/T but another reason I love pasta is because as a vegetarian, it's something you can rely on in restaurants to be part of the "vegetarian option". It's either that or the dreaded risotto.
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Old 28-07-2011, 11:25
RAINBOWGIRL22
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Ocassionally but space is a problem here too!

I have relatives in Italy who do but they are blessed with more area than us! It does taste better fresh, but a lot of the stuff you buy in the supermarkets runs a very close second!

Slightly O/T but another reason I love pasta is because as a vegetarian, it's something you can rely on in restaurants to be part of the "vegetarian option". It's either that or the dreaded risotto.
I would love to have relatives in Italy

I could easily be a vegetarian if I didn't have to watch my pasta (and pizza and potato) intake
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Old 28-07-2011, 12:30
kitty_koo
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I dunno how I lived before I discovered pasta, tuna pasta bakes are delicious
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Old 28-07-2011, 13:02
kookiethekat
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Mine would be a fruits de mer spaghetti. Mixed shellfish with spaghetti, garlic, chilli and tomatos

When I was in Rome a few years ago, we went out of the city to the beach and went to this restaurant and I had the most incredible fruits de mer I have ever tasted.

I have tried several times to recreate it - it has never worked
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Old 28-07-2011, 13:04
kookiethekat
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I dunno how I lived before I discovered pasta, tuna pasta bakes are delicious
I have never like tuna bakes. The idea of hot tinned tuna and cheese together makes me feel ill

Loads of my friends rave about it though.
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Old 28-07-2011, 13:29
epicurian
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I appreciate pasta, any pasta (except tagliatelle), and oh how I appreciate it. I just wish it was reciprocal!

We went to Puglia a few years ago and in... Otranto, I think, I had a bowl of orecchiette with spicy tomato and ricotta sauce. I brought back about a tonne of the dried pasta, and I've tried a few times since then to replicate the sauce, but no joy. I guess I'll just have to go back.

I've never tried making my own, but I always covet those pasta roller machine thingamabobs when I'm in kitchen shops. One day maybe.
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Old 28-07-2011, 14:03
grassmarket
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My favourite shape is buccatini, kind of like spaghetti with a tube! You don't find it very often, so I always buy lots of packets when I do.
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Old 28-07-2011, 14:29
Sandgrownun
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Pasta is fantastic stuff - cheap, filling and versatile. I love it hot and cold, and there are so many different sauces and ingredients you can add to it. I probably have it 4 or 5 times a week (had pasta salad with chicken, pepperoni, sweetcorn and mayo for lunch today).

I dunno how I lived before I discovered pasta, tuna pasta bakes are delicious
They really are! Might have that for tea tomorrow.
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Old 28-07-2011, 16:05
mimicole
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Possibly my favourite type of food, but I'm laying off it at the moment.

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Old 28-07-2011, 16:24
epicurian
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Possibly my favourite type of food, but I'm laying off it at the moment.


I feel your pain. We could start a support group. It's double torture in my house as I cook all these wonderful carbs for my family, requiring every ounce of my willpower to not shove them in my gob.
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Old 28-07-2011, 16:32
Porcupine
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I adore pasta and rice. I probably have them about 4 times a week.

I dont think i can pick a fav pasta as i love lasagne, spaghetti, pasta bows (dont know the correct word), tagliatelli. I love it all. I tend to go through phases though.

I adore rice too. I wouldn't want to eat healthy pasta, i like the bog standard white stuff.
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Old 28-07-2011, 16:34
RAINBOWGIRL22
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Possibly my favourite type of food, but I'm laying off it at the moment.

I feel your pain. We could start a support group. It's double torture in my house as I cook all these wonderful carbs for my family, requiring every ounce of my willpower to not shove them in my gob.
I'll join the support group.

I limit my pastsa intake these days so when I do actually have it I have the wholemeal variety (boring )
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Old 28-07-2011, 16:55
epicurian
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I'll join the support group.

I limit my pastsa intake these days so when I do actually have it I have the wholemeal variety (boring )
Actually, the last time I had pasta, it was wholemeal spaghetti and I didn't mind it at all-- in fact, I kinda liked the nutty flavour it had.
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Old 28-07-2011, 17:20
21stCenturyBoy
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Wholemeal Spaghetti is very tasty!

I made a spaghetti bolognese this lunchtime (well, I substituted beef mince for Quorn Mince) and it was the nicest I'd made in a long time. I eschewed the use of onions (we didn't have any!) and added just a hint of parsley. Really enjoyed it!
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Old 28-07-2011, 18:44
HALibutt
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I have never like tuna bakes. The idea of hot tinned tuna and cheese together makes me feel ill

Loads of my friends rave about it though.
I used to be like you - I didn't like the idea of hot tuna and didn't think I ever would - but once I tasted it it was fine.

Tuna pasta bakes are lovely - not to mention a tuna melt ciabatta or sarnie!
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Old 28-07-2011, 18:46
HALibutt
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I adore pasta and rice. I probably have them about 4 times a week.

I dont think i can pick a fav pasta as i love lasagne, spaghetti, pasta bows (dont know the correct word), tagliatelli. I love it all. I tend to go through phases though.

I adore rice too. I wouldn't want to eat healthy pasta, i like the bog standard white stuff.
I buy brown pasta sometimes and even though it's not quite as nice as the white stuff it's still nice.

I haven't tried brown rice yet - but think I've been put off up till now by 'wild' rice which is pretty rank.
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Old 29-07-2011, 10:08
Hotelier
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I can remember ths first time i had lasagne. I'd started a new job, in 1971 and went out to lunch with some other guys who started the same rime. One was Italian, so I asked him to recommened something that was'nt spag bol. He said try Lasagne al forno. I Loved it so much I ate another one immediatly afterwards.
Been a Lasagna lover ever since. . , especially home made.
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Old 29-07-2011, 11:13
Smithy1204
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I love pasta! Especially:

Spaghetti milanese
Pasta with tuna, chopped tomatoes, onion and sweetcorn
With prawns, mushrooms, onion and garlic

And sometimes nothing can beat a bowl of pasta with a bit of cheese or even with just a bit of butter! I really like wholewheat pasta and the tricolour at the moment.
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