Penne Glossary | Recipes with Penne

Description
Penne is a type of pasta that is cylindrical shape and usually their ends having ridges on each noodle. Penne is traditionally cooked and served with pasta sauces such as pesto. Penne is a popular ingredient in pasta salads are cut diagonally. These two-inch long tubular macaroni are sometimes referred to as mostaccioli. This pasta is good with chunky meat or vegetable sauces

Cooked penne

Boil plenty of water in a large pan with 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of oil. Add the penne to the boiling water and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally and gently until the penne is tender. Cooking time may vary with the size and the thickness of the penne . Immediately drain the cooked penne into a sieve or a colander. Transfer to a bowl of cold water to refresh it. Drain again and keep aside. If the penne is not to be used immediately, add 1 tbsp of oil to it and toss it.

How to Select
Choose a well branded penne pasta that is translucent, creamy yellow color without any tint of gray. When held up to the light it should appear translucent, without signs of any air bubbles or dark specs. The dark specs should only appear if it due to the type of flavoring agent used. The surface of penne pasta should have a slightly rough matte finish, which helps hold the sauce to the pasta.

Reading the food label or package will supply you with information to help you make a selection on which pasta to purchase. It also includes nutritional information. Whether the pasta you are purchasing is fresh or dried, the food label will indicate the type of flour used to produce the pasta and what flavoring agents have been used, if any. When selecting dried pasta. Keep an eye on manufacturing as well as expiry date.

Culinary Uses
" Penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce.
" A marinated artichoke dressing and olives enhance the zesty romaine lettuce salad with penne pasta.
" This wonderful dish combines all your favorite vegetables in one dish that can be adapted to your own tastes.
" Creamy Penne Pasta, Asparagus and Penne Pasta Recipe - experiment as per your taste buds.

How to Store
Store it, unopened, in a cool, dry cupboard for six to eight months or as per the expiry date. Dried, fresh, and cooked pasta need to be stored in different ways. Fresh pasta will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator and can also be frozen. Cooked pasta will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge or freezer. When refrigerating or freezing cooked pasta, be sure it is stored in a well sealed container so that it does not absorb any odors.

Health Benefits
" Penne Pasta is a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.
" The carbohydrates provide our bodies with vitamins, minerals and energy.
" Although pasta is nearly fat free, the sauces and other toppings added to the pasta are what add calories and fat. To maintain the low fat, low calorie advantages of pasta, it is important to keep the sauce low-fat also.

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