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11.4. Pasta. Objectives. Outline methods to select, receive, and store pasta Describe physical properties of pasta Distinguish between forms of pasta Using a variety of recipes and cooking techniques, prepare pasta. Terms. Pasta. Is Italian for dough
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11.4 Pasta
Objectives • Outline methods to select, receive, and store pasta • Describe physical properties of pasta • Distinguish between forms of pasta • Using a variety of recipes and cooking techniques, prepare pasta
Pasta • Is Italian for dough • A starchy unleavened dough made from wheat flour (or other starch) and liquid (water and/or eggs) • Pasta dough can be colored and flavored with a variety if ingredients such as spinach, beet, tomato, squid ink, herbs, spices • Most cuisines include some form of pasta; Asian, Italian, Eastern European
Pasta • Is made from staple ingredients that are plentiful and inexpensive • Is used in many dishes including appetizers, entrées, salads and desserts • Asian pasta dough (noodles) are often from rice flour, bean flour, buckwheat flour • Italian-style pasta is made from semolina flour (refined durum wheat flour)
Pasta Forms • Fresh Pasta • Basic pasta dough recipes produce a stiff dough that can be rolled into thin sheets (sfoglia) and cut or extruded (forced through a die) into various shapes • Cooks quickly (about a minute) compared to dried (8-10 minutes) • Keeps up to 2 days refrigerated, can be frozen, can be fully dried to keep longer • 1# fresh uncooked pasta yields 2-2.5# cooked pasta
Stuffed Pasta • Boiled • Ravioli • Tortellini • Baked • Manicotti • Jumbo Shells • Lasagne
Making Pasta • Fresh pasta is usually made from eggs, salt, olive oil and bread flour • When vegetables are added, such as spinach, they should be as dry as possible • Herbs and spices should be finely chopped or minced • Pasta dough should be firm, smooth, elastic and slightly moist to the touch
Dried Pasta has many shapes Farfalle Fusilli Orzo Penne Rice Vermicelli Soba (buckwheat) Shells
Cooking Pasta • Fresh-made pasta should be given a 15-30 minute rest period to relax the gluten before cooking • The method is boiling • Water salted, ½ teaspoon per quart water • 8:1 water : pasta ratio • Oil added to water debate… • Pasta should be cooked until al dente; tender, yet firm to the bite
Cooking Pasta • Dried pasta cook times vary depending on type, thickness, stuffed • Place pasta in boiling water • Stir to prevent sticking and insure pasta is submerged • When al dente, strain, lightly toss with a small amount of oil • Serve, or • Refrigerate • Re-heat for service by re-submerging in boiling water
Cooking Pasta • It is important to pair pasta sauce with a pasta’s flavor and shape • Light sauces lend themselves to long, flat pastas; fresh pastas; stuffed pastas • Heavier pastas pair well with tube and twisted pastas
Dumplings • Can be made from dough or batter • Are usually poached, simmered or steamed • Can also be baked, pan-fried, deep fried or broiled • Plain or Drop • Slight additions or changes can transform pasta dough into dumpling batter • Spaetzle: German, batter dough forced through a colander into simmering water/broth • Gnocchi: Italian potato dumpling often shaped with a fork
Dumplings • Filled • Made by wrapping pasta/noodle dough around a filling • Won Ton, pot sticker • Peirogi