Corona Virus Pasta Help...

I do a daily Soul show on Starpoint radio, in our Radio Station chat room one of the presenters said he'd been to the supermarket got pasta, but all the sauces had gone, what was he going to do?

I thought after owning 6 award-winning restaurants the thought of pasta sauces comes easily to me, so I would list some ideas to help you and your shopping in these hard times.

Now closed, but featured on TV as part of Taste Of The South.  
Pasta
So, boil the pasta and when your sauce is ready, throw some boiling water over it and add your combination to the pasta that you have already cooked, or just cook pasta and directly add your sauce, ingredients to it.
Sauce ideas
Butter, Olive Oil to saute from the start or a white sauce (butter, flour heated into a ball) then add milk until thick, for a cheese sauce add the cheese of your choice.
Basic start
Garlic (Can be boiled with the pasta to softener), crushed or chopped finally, spring onions, shallots, red onions, Bay Leaves, Thyme, Rosemary, onions, Olives, Saffron, Herbs, fresh Basil, oregano, dill, sage, parsley, nuts, seeds, etc
Vegetable ideas
Courgettes, aubergine, Fennel, asparagus, artichokes (Deli counter ones, fresh or tinned), tinned tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, leeks, broccoli, Hearts de Palm (tinned), Peas, spinach, sweetcorn, peppers (you can roast the skins then cover with cling film on a plate and peal it off), Chill's, or others of your choice.
Fish or meat
Minced beef, lamb or pork, chicken, bacon, prawns, squid, anchovy's, seafood, mussels, clams, smoked haddock, salmon, tinned tuna, sausages, Salami, Ham or your favorite meat or fish.

Thickening
Tomato puree, ketchup (to sweeten a tomato sauce), reduced stock,double cream, creme fresh, butter, Cornflour, Eggs.
Sauteed artichokes in lemon, garlic & olive oil
How to Start
Saute onions, meat, etc and then reduce down with cooking white wine, red, balsamic vinegar, various stocks.

Cheese: Parmesan, Stilton, cheddar, mascapone, Romano, Gruyère, emmental , Ricotta, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo, Ricotta Salata, Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pepato, and Provolone.

Basic tomato sauce, onions, garlic, olive oil or butter, oregano, Bay Leave, Basil, tomatoes (tinned or fresh), Worcester sauce, drop of Tabasco, tomato puree to thicken.

Meat sauce, add your choice of mince, saute until golden in olive oil, add Basic Tomato sauce starting with the onions, ketchup (to sweeten at the end), you could also add mushrooms, olives.

Creamy Pasta : Cook the pasta (reserve in a pan), saute ham, salami, bacon (chopped) until golden, add pasta back with beaten eggs and grated cheese, you could also add nutmeg, basil to taste or even a touch of cream and butter.

Rustic Pasta - Saute the vegetables you like, herbs of your choice in olive oil or butter then just add them to your pasta, and sprinkle with cheese if you desire.
Leftover pasta omelette

Always Wash Your Hands after touching food, more now than ever before, avoid putting the same tasting spoon back. With the new guidelines of shopping once a week, lets hope the supermarket best before days improve.

Stay at home, listen to my Soul radio show, but stay safe and healthy, thank you for reading.


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