Notes on Weeknight Pasta

Abstract food gradient artwork

Leftovers improved overnight, as soups and stews always do. Salt early, taste often, and trust your nose before the timer. Write down what you changed, or you will never repeat the good batch.

A small example

Leftovers improved overnight, as soups and stews always do. Toasting spices takes a minute and changes everything. Salt early, taste often, and trust your nose before the timer.

Fermentation is mostly waiting and occasionally smelling things. Write down what you changed, or you will never repeat the good batch.

Context

Rest the meat, rest the dough, and rest the cook. Write down what you changed, or you will never repeat the good batch. A hot pan and a little patience beat any fancy gadget.

We tested the recipe six times and the fourth was the winner. Leftovers improved overnight, as soups and stews always do.

What worked

Acid at the end wakes up a dish that tastes flat. The dough was sticky, which turned out to be exactly right. Good olive oil is a seasoning, not just a cooking fat. Salt early, taste often, and trust your nose before the timer.

The dough was sticky, which turned out to be exactly right. Toasting spices takes a minute and changes everything.

Good olive oil is a seasoning, not just a cooking fat. We tested the recipe six times and the fourth was the winner.

Comments

4 responses to “Notes on Weeknight Pasta”

  1. The photos and examples make this so much clearer.

  2. Interesting perspective. I had the opposite experience, but I see your point.

  3. Small tip: the list at the end makes a great checklist.

  4. Small tip: the list at the end makes a great checklist.

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