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Did it ever cross your mind why pasta comes in so many shapes and sizes?
Technically, there’s no “wrong” choice when it comes to putting a specific type of pasta in a recipe. However, you may find that certain shapes or types of pasta are more harmonious in certain dishes. For instance, the same elbow macaroni that absorbs oozy cheese in creamy mac ‘n’ cheese might not be as effective when served with a thick, chunky tomato sauce.
The more you cook and experiment with pasta, the easily you can figure out what types of sauces or preparation methods are most appropriate for each type. Read more to find out how to use some of various pasta shapes.
Conchiglie: These small shells have a large opening, which makes them best for dishes where fillings can get stuck inside. Think hearty meat sauces and creamy pasta salads. Oh, and of course, this shape is ideal for mac and cheese too.
Farfalle: Also known as “bow-tie pasta,” farfalle (which literally translates to “butterflies”) works best in dishes with chunks of vegetables or meat.
Spaghetti: Carbonara (helllllo, creamy cheese sauce with bacon) is the only way to save it. Other decently acceptable sauces, such as tomato (and meatballs) or olive oil-based concoctions, should coat the noodles completely.
Fettuccine: While “Alfredo” is basically fettuccine’s last name, try folding other thick sauces, like creamy tomato with browned sausage or a classic Bolognese, into these wide, flat noodles. They can take it! Red pepper and nut-based romesco is another acceptable (and encouraged) option.
Penne: Make the most of penne’s ridges by throwing them into a casserole with tomato sauce and cheese for a variation of baked ziti
Fusilli: A windy noodle full of cracks deserves a sauce that can stick to it, like pesto. And tomato sauce and Bolognese and olive oil and... we could keep going.
Linguine: Ah, linguine. Slurp it up with a light white wine and butter-based sauce and a protein. Shrimp scampi, anyone? If you're feeling a meal that takes minimal effort, it pairs perfectly with a simple combo of lemon zest, olive oil, and parsley.
Orecchiette: This pasta, which translates to "little ears" in Italian, does well with other bite-size foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, sausage, and cherry tomatoes. You also can’t go wrong with a quick toss of peas and bacon.
Ziti: The best choice for mac and cheese (and baked ziti, of course)! Here’s why: Ziti's tubular shape is perfect for trapping cheesy sauce. And just so you know, ziti are actually a type of macaroni, so any recipe that calls for ziti can easily be swapped with elbow-shaped noodles.
Did you learn something new today? Let us know in the comments below.
Curcumin is the main ingredient in the ‘golden spice’. It will be used interchangeably with Turmeric throughout this article. It has proven to protect cells from damage.
This is because it is an anti-inflammatory. This effect lowers the risk of cell mutation and thus lowers the chances of getting cancer. This herb also has anti-cancer effects. This means it can kill cancer cells and slow down tumor growth. Even the National Cancer Institute sees the spice as a cancer-preventing agent.
Curcumin is also an anti-oxidant. Any kind of cold symptoms, cough or fever can go away when you take it. Curcumin has proven to up your body’s sickness-fighting response. This means you won’t have to worry about the horrors of a cold with this tea. These effects also apply to infections. This is because Turmeric benefits include anti-bacterial effects too. It can fight it a lot!
Research shows that Turmeric softens your arteries and lowers levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Stiff arteries can cause major heart problems such as a stroke or a heart attack. LDL can clog your arteries and also cause heart problems. The studies show that only a small dose of curcumin can lower these symptoms. So even trying a little bit of this spice can make a big difference.
Turmeric can be helpful in managing arthritis. Since it is an anti-inflammatory, it reduces swelling in the body. Reduced swelling means fewer pain symptoms. This makes arthritis a lot more manageable.
Alzheimer’s is a very complex disease. We don’t know everything about Alzheimer’s, but we do know that Turmeric can help prevent it. A big symptom of Alzheimer’s is the dark plaques that show up in the brain. Curcumin has the ability to prevent these plaques from growing. Also, since it’s an anti-inflammatory, it lowers the loss of brain cells that comes with aging. This means that this tea can make your brain stay smarter for a long time. Who doesn’t want that?
Most evidence on this topic comes from animals. Studies have shown that Turmeric can reverse depression in animals. However, the results look good for humans too. One study on humans used 60 people who had depression. Some of the participants took Prozac for their symptoms and the others took curcumin. Both groups said that each treatment helped them out. Though evidence is still in early stages, it might be worth giving this tea a try for depression.
Turmeric tea has proven to prevent diabetes and help control it. It does this by reversing insulin-resistance issues and managing blood sugar.
This goes hand in hand with our next point. High blood sugar can turn into fat in the body. Since curcumin can help manage your blood sugar levels, it can help with fat loss. Curcumin also boosts metabolism, which means you will burn more calories. This makes the spice a great fat burner.
If you have digestive issues, the ‘golden spice’ might be able to help you. It can promote good bacteria in your gut while killing bad bacteria. This makes sure you get the right nutrients you need from your food. This makes digestion easier for your body. Also, because curcumin helps with pain, it can help the cramps that come with many digestive issues. Some issues include IBD, Crohn’s disease, and acute diarrhea. Turmeric can also protect your liver and gallstones. It does this by making more good enzymes while protecting from bad bile.
There isn’t much evidence on this, but some studies show that Turmeric can treat some lung conditions. This works because curcumin reduces inflammation, which is what causes a lot of lung problems. Some of these conditions include asthma, lung cancer, COPD and cystic fibrosis.
The effects this tea has on your skin is also worth noting. The powder can prevent acne, psoriasis, and eczema from flaring up. This is because of its anti-inflammatory effects. The spice can also prevent skin infections from popping up. Wrinkles and blemishes can also go down. The components in Turmeric stimulate skin cell growth, which keeps your skin nice and healthy.
