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Pasta
Express Review : For the American in every Italian chef
(April 14, 2006)
If
you're a pasta fan but lead a typically American life,
then you might want to consider a cooking aid that's
going to make life easier. After all, isn't that what
we're all after? The beauty of the Pasta Express is
that once you boil water, your commitment to your pasta
ends.
Using
the Pasta Express tube is simple. There are four steps
to making pasta with a Pasta Express:
1. Fill Pasta Express up with your pasta (whatever variety
it may be--I tried some ricotta and chicken tortellini
and then spaghetti);
2. Pour hot water into Pasta Express;
3. Go watch TV or attend with your screaming children
or prepare garlic bread/pasta sauce/salad;
4. Don't stir, don't watch your pasta boil, don't strain
the water out of your pot and don't take the chance
of scalding your hand and get a face full of steam while
doing it. But keep in mind that the water you're straining
is still boiling hot.
Pasta
Express claims to take seven minutes to completely cook
pasta. My recommendation is closer to about eight or
nine minutes for most pasta and 15 minutes for spaghetti
to be thoroughly cooked. Your cooking time depends on
your personal preference. Once that amount of time has
elapsed, screw off the top lid and pour the water out.
This makes life in the kitchen easier because you don't
need to dig out your strainer or colander and eventually
give your undivided attention to cleaning it later.
Next, pop off the bottom lid and pour pasta onto your
plate. Done and done.
We
confess that there are a few shortcomings of the Pasta
Express. For those people considered vertically challenged,
the 13-inch tall Pasta Express tube will prove to be
somewhat of a challenge to put the lids on initially
if the Pasta Express is set on a countertop. The bottom
lid takes a little work to properly put on. We recommend
using a dish cloth to apply even pressure on the bottom
lid to snap it closed. You don't want the lid to come
off when you are straining your pasta.
All
in all, the Pasta Express tube is a convenient way to
make pasta. If cooking a full meal for your family is
a daily challenge, especially with younger children,
then Pasta Express will give you back precious time
to focus on other parts of your meal or other needs
around the house. But you still have to warm up sauce
and add vegetables--Pasta Express never promises to
do these things though.
If
you consider yourself an Italian chef but are constrained
by your American reality, Pasta Express is definitely
worth the $19.95. Italian cuisine has never been easier.
-Review by Michael, TVTopTen.com
