A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a webinar with Michael Chiarello sponsored by Marie Callender’s new home style pastas. Before my husband and I had kids, we used to visit Napa Valley every year, and our favorite restaurant was Tra Vigne, where Michael Chiarello used to be the head chef. We absolutely love his food, and I always use his first cookbook, Casual Cooking.
Michael offered some great suggestions for at home cooks, including the following:
- Make sure the pasta water is salted – it’s the only opportunity to get the salt into the pasta
- Cook the pasta al dente – sometimes the package overestimates the amount of time it takes to cook the pasta, so keep watching it
- Eat local, in season foods, which are generally cheaper, healthier, tastier, and more environmentally friendly
- Layer flavors into your foods – it helps you feel more full (and makes the food taste better)
- Use grey salt rather than white salt
Michael likes the Marie Callender’s pastas for quick meals, because they are al dente and taste better than reheated pastas. I haven’t tried them yet, but just got some free coupons for attending the webinar – so I’ll be back with a review!
