Where you place the origins of pasta depends a great deal on how you define it. There is evidence that the ancient Etruscans prepared a wheat and egg paste, but it was baked not boiled. Does that count? There are artifacts from a period 3,000 years ago that look remarkably like pasta dies and extruders. [...]

Right: Wine map of the U.S.
In a state that produces 90% of all US wine, the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa in Northern California are justly famous. But they have no monopoly on quality, the wines from the newer Southern California wineries are an equal match for any of their northern sisters.
Most Southern California wine [...]

One of the most remarkable things about pasta isn’t just how long it’s been around. It’s that, plus the fact that it has changed so little over the hundreds, or perhaps thousands of years that it has been made and consumed. While the ancient Greeks and Romans undoubtedly made and prepared pasta differently than is [...]

Nothing should be simpler than cooking pasta. After all, it’s just a matter of heating some water to a boil and tossing a wheat and egg-based product into a pot for a few minutes, right? But within this seemingly simple operation lies many potential pitfalls.
To avoid them, though, requires nothing more than a little thought [...]

Fettuccine all’Alfredo is among the simplest, yet tastiest pasta dishes. The ingredients are easily obtained and the procedure can successfully be carried out by even the most cooking-challenged of chefs.
First invented by the Roman chef after whom the dish is named, it consists of just pasta, parmigiano and butter.
You’ll need:
1 lb fettuccine
1/2 lb parmigiano reggiano [...]

There is a fascinating variety of pasta making machines on the market, but they all perform the same basic task. But then, all cars perform the same basic task. Yet some get you there in style, while others merely take you from place to place.
Once you have a mound of pasta dough, to turn it [...]

After you’ve experimented a while with pastas from various sources, you’ll want to venture out on your own. Making your own homemade pasta offers the same delight as grinding your own coffee, growing your own vegetables and other do-it-yourself food and drink projects. You get the same advantages as those others, as well: a truly [...]

Pasta, like many foods high in carbohydrates, often gets a bad reputation. But a little basic nutrition knowledge can dispel that right away.
Carbohydrates, though they are sometimes made out to be villains, are actually similar to natural sugars. When broken down they provide a major source of glucose, which is the body’s ‘energy factory’. Glucose [...]

One of the great things about pasta is not just its inherent great taste, but its versatility. Because of the variety of shapes it can take on, and its sturdy structure, it can be stuffed with meat or smothered in meat sauce. Bacon, beef, lamb, chicken… they all go great with pasta, in the noodle [...]

Right: Wine map of France
In the triangle formed near the Mediterranean coast by Nice in the east, Marseille in the west and Avignon to the northwest, lies the region of Provence.
Provence was the first region in France to turn to winemaking some 2,600 years ago. Today some 500 wineries tend vineyards on 68,000 acres — [...]

Many cities in Italy are near the sea and the Italians are well-known for their centuries-old tradition of fishing. They’re also well known, obviously, for the use of pasta in cooking. Many excellent recipes have evolved from those twin circumstances. When the seafood is fresh, these two make for excellent partners.
There are many possibilities, including [...]

If you pay careful attention when you enjoy an evening at a fine restaurant, you’ll discover there is more to the meal than simply a well-made dish. Presentation counts for a lot.
Yes, you can see the fine table cloth and the waiters are properly attentive while not pestering you. But focus for a moment on [...]

There are so many different possible pasta recipes it might seem impossible to provide general guidelines. But all good pasta recipes have a few things in common.
The most obvious is to start with fresh pasta.
That could be homemade, certainly. Making your own pasta at home is easy and inexpensive. After a little practice, the results [...]

One of the great things about pasta is its versatility. Not only is it nutritious and tasty, but it goes with any wine you happen to favor. Still, you’ll want to select a wine that goes with the whole dish.
You should start simple and work your way up as you experiment with a wider variety [...]

Like everything in nutrition, the heart health impact of pasta is an area of active research. Though there are dissenters, which is good since that’s where new ideas come from, most experts agree that pasta is a heart-healthy food.
Made from durum wheat, pasta is a whole grain food. Whole grains are ‘whole’ because their bran [...]

With the arrival of spring, creative cooks look for seasonal vegetables to freshen up their daily menus. The produce aisle is stocked with the spring season’s best offerings. Artichokes, asparagus, snow peas and a variety of spring lettuce all serve as terrific ingredients for a delicious salad. Add a serving of seafood, and transform a [...]

Pasta is made from simple ingredients – wheat and eggs. And by such a simple process (just a little mixing). Those two facts almost guaranteed that pasta would find its way around many cultures. But learning where and how and which type reveals a few unexpected twists.
The source of wheat for pasta is something of [...]

(ARA) – The graduation season is a time of year when families from all over the country celebrate both the academic success and beginning of a loved one’s long journey. On the islands of Hawaii, this time of year is extremely significant for native families, with several traditions that play a significant role.
In Hawaiian culture, [...]

Plain pasta is healthy and delicious. But the overwhelming majority of dishes are going to involve combining it with some kind of sauce. Fortunately, there are many delicious recipes to choose from, covering every kind of pasta shape and flavor.
Heavy
A traditional ragu may be too much trouble. So go for something a little bit different [...]

Those with an interest in making pasta dishes – and that’s everyone, yes? – are fortunate to be living in this day and age. Ancient wisdom and modern technology have combined to produce an array of tools that can aid in the pursuit of pasta perfection.
Board
If you make your own pasta, and it’s a simple [...]