Introduction 

   
Where would we be without pasta? It has to be the most useful invention ever — it is delicious, inexpensive, nutritious, quick and easy to cook, very satisfying and .incredibly versatile. The fact that it comes in so many shapes and sizes makes it even more interesting, as well as fun to eat for adults and children alike.

The shape you use is largely a matter of choice, and you have about 200 different shapes to choose from! There are, of course, a few classic combinations. Spaghetti, for example, is the one to serve with meatballs or a rich, meaty, Bolognese sauce — if you want to be both well fed and entertained, look out for the really long variety of

spaghetti, which is quite a challenge ,to eat! Macaroni & Cheese simply wouldn’t be the same made with any other shape of pasta, and Fettuccine 'Alfredo has a ring to the name that pasta lovers know well!

Pasta is almost foolproof to cook, but it’s worth noting one or two points. Firstly, always bring the cooking water to a rapid boil before adding the pasta. Once the pasta is in the pan, adjust the heat so that the pasta cooks at a steady boil without boiling over. The most import ant thing to remember is not to overcook the pasta. ‘Al dente’ means ‘still firm when bitten' and this is what you need to aim for — eating limp, soggy pasta is quite an unpleasant experience! Follow the recommended cooking time in the recipe or on the packet and keep tasting toward the end of the time to make sure you get it just right — or you can, of course, follow the Italian tradition of throwing a test piece at the wall and if it sticks, you’ll know it’s done!

Making your own fresh pasta is surprisingly easy and there are a few recipes for you to try. For everyday use, though, fill your store cupboards with a good variety of pasta shapes, select your favorite dishes and make the most of this treasure of an ingredient.