Pasta is a firm favourite in Irish homes, and it’s easy to see why. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your pasta recipes to restaurant standard. Stand back and watch your family get excited!
Undercook your pasta by one or two minutes and finish it IN the cooking sauce, with a slug of cooking water from the pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the flavour of the sauce, and the cooking liquid will help the sauce stick to the pasta. Genius!
It’s not just about cheese. Garnish your pasta with a grating of lemon zest, some crunchy breadcrumbs or even a crumble of crispy bacon to add texture and taste.
Herb it up. Experiment with lots of fresh herbs in your pasta dishes. Rosemary, for example, is a great friend of pork and beef while dill and mint works with seafood Use sparingly to add a herby hit to your favourite dishes.
Inspired? Check out some of our favourite pasta dishes:
Garnish your pasta with a grating of lemon zest, some crunchy breadcrumbs or even a crumble of crispy bacon to add texture and taste. Herb it up. Experiment with lots of fresh herbs in your pasta dishes.
Simply add a tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water before adding the pasta. In addition, you can also try tossing the cooked pasta with a sauce made with fresh ingredients, such as garlic, olive oil, fresh basil, or crushed tomatoes. This can help to bring out the flavor of the pasta and make it more satisfying.
A dollop of ricotta or mascarpone adds lightly sweet creaminess, while soft goat cheese or even a humble cream cheese adds tangy richness to elevate dull tomato sauce. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes any plate of pasta look all dressed up, while adding a welcome kick of umami.
That makes this smart trick not just tasty, but convenient. Butter works because it adds body to the sauce, making it feel more luxurious and creamy. The flavor is subtle and balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes. Butter can turn any store-bought pasta sauce into something a little more special.
Fresh or dried herbs will also add flavor to pasta dishes.
"I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried," Montillo said. "Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces."
Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles. Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal.
To freshen things up a bit, I like to add a squeeze of lemon juice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or maybe some chopped fresh herbs depending on the dish, but it's totally up to you. Even a few cracks of black pepper will do the trick!
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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