Cooking pasta in the LD February 08, 2009, 01:11:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 99087When we spent a lot of time in the LD, I missed being able to cook pasta whenever I wanted. I tried it the conventional way a couple of times, when we had hookups, but it used way too much water. It also caused a lot of condensation, even with the hood vent and Fantastic Fan running.A couple of weeks ago I bought a Pasta n' More kit at our local Walgreen's Drug Store. It works like a charm! So far, I've tried rigatoni and farfalle (bowtie) pasta, in amounts for one or two people. The kit, about $20, includes the base cooker, with handles that also measure long pasta, a strainer lid, an expander ring, a steamer insert, and a storage lid. There is also a small recipe book. I don't know whether I'll ever use it for anything other than pasta, but I might try steaming some veggies in it. It looks like it was made for use in an RV, as it is lightweight, uses a minimal amount of water, and cooks in the microwave. You can store leftovers in it in the freezer or refrigerator. It's great to find something that really works as advertised, so I feel safe in recommending it.Sharon N.Crossville, TN
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #1 – February 08, 2009, 08:44:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 99088wrote: A couple of weeks ago I bought a Pasta n' More kit at our local Walgreen's Drug Store. --- Sharon, this one? There are quite a few online sources for the cooker in case someone wasn't able to find it locally. http://www.amazon.com/Pasta-More-Microwave-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/B0017VIO36 Joan As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #2 – February 08, 2009, 10:05:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 99090wrote: Pasta n' More kit --- This is another microwave pasta cooker that might interest some folks: http://www.fastapastacooker.com/I've heard reports that the "Fasta Pasta" works, but have no actual experience with the product.Joan
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #3 – February 08, 2009, 12:58:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99094Quote wrote: A couple of weeks ago I bought a Pasta n' More kit at our local Walgreen's Drug Store. --- Sharon, this one? There are quite a few online sources for the cooker in case someone wasn't able to find it locally. http://www.amazon.com/Pasta-More-Microwave-Cooker- Cookbook/dp/B0017VIO36Quote Joan That's it. Thanks for posting the link.Sharon N. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #4 – February 08, 2009, 01:25:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99095Quote wrote: Pasta n' More kit --- This is another microwave pasta cooker that might interest some folks: http://www.fastapastacooker.com/I've heard reports that the "Fasta Pasta" works, but have no actual experience with the product.Joan The "Fasta Pasta" certainly looks like a similar idea. I haven't seen one in person, so I can't compare. The Pasta n' More is 12 1/4" long, and does fit in the LD's Dometic microwave with the turntable turning freely. I don't know the dimensions of the Fasta Pasta cooker.Perhaps someone who has one will comment.Sharon N.Crossville, TN
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #5 – February 08, 2009, 02:27:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99098wrote: I don't know the dimensions of the Fasta Pasta cooker. --- This site says it's 11.5" X 5.5" X 3": http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=667466
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #6 – February 08, 2009, 03:20:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99104HAY CAPT, that address I gave you is wrong....It's at @yahoogroups.com---Wheeeew, Soory Sir ( salute )
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #7 – February 08, 2009, 04:49:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99109Quote wrote: I don't know the dimensions of the Fasta Pasta cooker. --- This site says it's 11.5" X 5.5" X 3": http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=667466 Well, the reviews on this are good, too, and it's less expensive than the Pasta n' More, so it looks like either one would be useful to have in the LD.Sharon N.
Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #8 – February 08, 2009, 06:04:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99117I am on several "cooking" lists, and the overwhelming opinion on those lists is that the Pasta N' More is far superior to the FastaPasta.I have no experience with either one, but will probably order the Pasta N' More from Amazon soon, as we eat a fair amount of pasta, and the amount of water used (and then tossed out) is considerable.I have had moderate success with using a 3-quart pan, boiling a smaller amount of water than usual, and cooking for about half the cooking time. I then let the pasta cook with the heat turned off for the remaining time. This soaks up a lot of the remaining water, thus having less to get rid of. Having the heat off seems to prevent burning and sticking, yet it still finishes cooking. Watch carefully, though, as it is easy to forget, and if left in the water too long, the pasta becomes somewhat mushy.One way to keep the cooking time to a minimum is to use angel hair. It cooks very quickly, and seems to emulate the "loaves and fishes" in its ability to stretch over many meals.For a tasty quickie pilaf, sauté broken pieces of angel hair and rice in butter for a few minutes - watch carefully, the pasta will burn easily. Add water or broth, and whatever seasonings you like, bring back to a boil, turn the heat way down, cover and let it cook until almost done. Turn off the heat and let it sit undisturbed for a bit, then fluff and serve.There are any number of dried vegetables that can be added with the water/broth to make this a very colorful and appealing dish. If you have a few mushrooms or sautéed onions handy, these make excellent additions.Depending on the type of seasonings you've chosen, the addition of toasted almonds, piñons, pistachios or other nuts turns this into a quite elegant side dish.If you want something more savory, a sprinkle of curry powder or a dollop of the thick "sauce in a jar"-type curry, along with some raisins or cranberries and almonds, makes a tasty accompaniment to plainer meats.The Pasta N' More is also reported to be an excellent way to steam vegetables. Again, I have no personal experience with this, and tend to steam my veggies in that same deep 3-qt. saucepan with a trivet in the bottom to keep the veggies off the bottom of the pan.Virtual hugs,Judie Grounded in - Sierra Vista, Arizona (but not for too much longer)
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #9 – February 08, 2009, 10:23:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99128Hey, Judie, thanks for the yummy-sounding quickie pilaf recipe,(Message #99117). I'll have to give that a try. I like the fact that it's all ingredients I'd normally have in the LD's pantry and refrigerator. Hugs!Sharon N.
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #10 – February 09, 2009, 05:43:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99155An interesting concept. Conducted an experiment. Put one cup of rotini in an 6 cup tupperware bowl. Added 1/2 cup of water. Put the lid on but didn't secure the lid. Put a few paper towels under the bowl to catch any overflow. Nuked for 60 seconds. Stirred. Nuked for 45 seconds. Stirred. Nuked for 45 seconds. Let set for 2 minutes. Voila! 1 1/2 cups of nicely cooked rotini. The pasta absorbed all the water. Ate the experiment as a side dish for dinner.Ed
Re: Cooking pasta in the LD Reply #11 – February 09, 2009, 08:34:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99159Thanks Ed, you're a guy after my own heart. I am going to try your experiment tomorrow, and that's the way I'll be cooking from now on, whether home or LD. MariQuoteAn interesting concept. Conducted an experiment. Put one cup of rotini
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