Pasta dishes are a favorite in our home (maybe that contributes a bit to my menopause middle, giggle). So I thought I would share some of my “perfect pasta” methods.
YES-Use plenty of water, the ideal amount is 4 to 6 qt. per lb. of pasta. This allows the pasta enough room to cook without sticking together.
NO- There is no need to add oil. If you have enough water, you won’t need to add oil to prevent sticking.
YES – Add salt for flavor but not too much; remember that your sauce will also add flavor.
YES- Stir pasta when you first add it to the water to prevent it from sticking together and to the bottom of the pot.
NO-Don’t throw noodles against the wall to test for doneness (not even if you’re angry) remember you’ll just have to clean your wall later. Instead, use the cooking time on the package directions as a guide. Then try a piece to see if it’s the right texture. I like my pasta “al dente” (a little chewy), but you might like it softer.
NO- Don’t rinse cooked pasta; you’ll rinse away the starch, which actually helps the sauce stick. Only rinse pasta if it will be used in a cold salad.
Now that you’ve got perfect pasta down, try this recipe.
Lobster Linguini
What You Need
4 lobster tails (2 pounds total), thawed if frozen
6 Tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup garlic, about 6 cloves ( chopped)
2 cups onion (diced)
3 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) diced Italian tomatoes
1-1/2 tsp dried oregano
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground mace
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 can (15 oz.) tomato puree
2 Lbs. Linguine
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup fresh parsley (coarsely chopped)
Dutch oven
Large pasta pot
Bowl with cover
Large serving bowl
Food Processor
Colander
Before You Start: Remove meat from lobster shells and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Let’s make it! Heat 3 Tbsp oil in a Dutch oven, add 3 Tbsp garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add lobster meat; sauté 5 minutes. Remove lobster and place in a bowl and cover. Add remaining oil, remaining garlic and onion to Dutch oven; sauté 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, mace, pepper, bay leaf and tomato puree; cook over medium-low heat 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf and discard. Meanwhile, cook linguine in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water until al dente. Using a colander drain and place in large bowl Drain and keep warm. Remove 2 cups tomato mixture and place in food processor. Puree return pureed mixture to pot. Add lobster meat with any accumulated juices; cook 2 minutes or until lobster meat is cooked through. Remove from heat. Stir in cream. Pour sauce over the top of the linguini and top with parsley. Toss well to mix.
Serves 6-10
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15 comments
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Alex J. Cavanaugh
May 7, 2010 at 15:33 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Throwing pasta on the wall is a waste of perfectly good noodles!
FabulousFashions4SensibleStyle
May 7, 2010 at 16:21 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Looks oh so yummy, Katherine!
Liesl
hipchic~cynde
May 7, 2010 at 16:56 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This looks so yummy! Now I am hungry for pasta!
TaDa
May 7, 2010 at 18:29 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
yum I am dieting that is not fair… lol
Createology
May 7, 2010 at 19:34 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love pasta and your Lobster recipe sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing. Happy eating…
Catherine
May 7, 2010 at 20:07 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Mmmm, sounds delish Katherine! Cheers~
Kayla
May 7, 2010 at 22:27 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I've started a new blog strictly for my fashion musings! Check it out and follow me there while I revamp my current blog!!
http://fashionmusingsofasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/
Kittie Howard
May 8, 2010 at 01:33 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Katherine, how did you know I love lobster? Yum! And with pasta? (I put extra pasta in baggies in the fridge to nibble on, even when I'm dieting, hmmm!) Thanks for stopping by my blog. You have a really lovely blog and I look forward to future posts!
Southpaw
May 8, 2010 at 14:17 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Pasta is one of my favorite foods, in just a few weeks the price of lobster will drop and I’m making this!
Pat
May 8, 2010 at 17:01 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I LOVE pasta! This recipe sounds delish ~ thanks for sharing.
I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day.
Pat
Kayla
May 9, 2010 at 00:53 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love the pasta tips!!! Thanks for sharing.
http://ramblingofasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/
drollgirl
May 9, 2010 at 02:24 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
WELL MY MOUTH IS WATERING!!! this recipe sounds delicious!!!!!!!!!!!
nookie
May 9, 2010 at 16:31 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
looks yummy:)
SKIZO
May 9, 2010 at 17:08 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
In your honour and in the honour of wall the Writwrs and Poets, I published an ilustration.
The Tablescaper
May 11, 2010 at 03:32 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Lobster linguine…my mouth is watering!
- The Tablescaper