I bought a Pasta Express, found it at Target. It really works,

[texanwitch]

:bounce:

[jbnow]

1. Tell me more

Really. How does it work? How easy is it?

[texanwitch]

3. It works just like on TV,

Put in pasta and add really hot water, let stand for about 7 minutes and it was cooked.

I really didn't believe it would work, and so easy.

I really can't cook so this is great.

[incapsulated]

4. Does it taste any different?

???

[texanwitch]

6. The pasta was great, nice and firm. I may cook more now.

The taste was great, I am going to try different food in it.

[incapsulated]

7. I might buy one, then

Not because I can't cook, but it would cut down on the clean up. :)

[texanwitch]

8. It is great for small meals or one person, clean up was so easy.

I really don't like to cook but this was fun.

[iconoclastNYC]

9. Oh no... you can't cook?

Well don't turn to an all Pasta diet!

If you have the mean$ consider taking a cooking class so you can learn to cook a diversity of healthy foods. Good way to meet people too.

A lower or no cost option is to put out a personal ad online or in your local market for someone who could teach you to cook in exchange for your assistance in preparing meals and companionship. There are tons of lonely elderly people who could teach you amazing things in exchange for companionship.

Think it over.

[texanwitch]

11. I tried to learn, I must have missed the cooking gene.

I just do the best I can.

[madokie]

25. I like to cook but that is an excellent idea to learn something new

[Rabrrrrrr]

32. So if you are already making really hot water,

why not just boil the pasta? Why buy the fancy ass gadget, since you already have one - it's called a "pot".

[TomInTib]

2. Is there an appreciable difference in the cooked pasta?

[texanwitch]

5. This was the first time my pasta was cooked just right, not over cooked.

[iconoclastNYC]

10. Have you ever tried a timer?

I mean.... the box usually tells you how long.... are you using cheap pasta? Barilla is hard to overcook.

[texanwitch]

12. I just can't cook.

I am good a building stuff, but not cooking.

I need a husband like my friend, he loves to cook and is very good. He takes pity on me and will cook anything I ask him to.

[tkmorris]

13. OUTSTANDING mention there

Barilla pasta is the best you can find on the average supermarket shelf. I typically don't use anything else unless I want to splurge for fresh pasta, which I rarely do. It cooks well without going all squishy on you. Also if you like whole wheat pasta theirs is quite good. My wife is borderline diabetic and so must watch her blood sugar. Whole wheat pasta doesn't make her sugar spike up the way regular pasta would.

And for the record, Mueller's is garbage. Worse pasta cannot be had outside of a can with a Franco-American label.

[LittleClarkie]

15. I usually use Creamette, but thanks for the tip on Barilla

That's readily available here. I'll try it.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

26. Barilla is fantastic. It never sticks together, and it always comes out

perfect. There's a reason why it's the number one in Italy. Their marinara sauce is a staple in my pantry. It doesn't pay to make my own anymore.

Meanwhile! Thanks for letting me know about their whole wheat! I'm going to try it this week!

[rocktivity]

34. I am hooked on Barilla pasta and their marinara sauce!

:bounce:
rocknation

[Jigarotta]

14. I bought one lately, not too happy tho.

Mostly about the non person totally automated phone order thing.
TV ad had a certain price, ordered, but then was 'introduced' to a 'just for so and so more $, you can get so and so', I pressed NO.
the automaton said, sorry, doesn't compute.
rinse, repeat.
rinse, repeat.

slammed the fucking phone down in frustration, got the fucking pasta thing. just waiting to see the fucking visa bill.

used it once, pasta was a bit 'sticky', but will have to experiment with time.

I should know.
most things you buy like that are some shade of crap.

EXCEPT:
The Ronco Roterissiere. Best Ever TV buy in the history of TV buying time. wonderful machine.

[BigBearJohn]

16. Yep. I love my Ronco Roterissiere too! I agree 100%

But where do you buy more bands to tie around the chickens

[Jigarotta]

19. prolly just use regular store string or something.

that unfuzzy yarn like stuff in a roll or bundle. or butchers string, I think that's what it's called.
have to ask my husband, he's the rotisserier in the house. I know we've run out of the elasticy package string ages ago, but something still works. ;)

yum yum juicy.
I find birds do better in a ronco than beef tho.

[Nicole]

22. I love my Ronco Rotisserie too

I buy twine in the kitchen utensils aisle to tie up the chicken.

[China_cat]

24. On the website. They sell them by the hundred.

Careful where you put them if you have cats...they make great toys.

Or you can buy a ball of white crochet cotton, size 10 and use that.

[texanwitch]

17. I got a Ronco Roterissiere for Christmas, I like it.

Even I can cooked a chicken in it.

[gulliver]

18. I won't buy from those automated systems any more.

I got trapped by one just like you, but on a different product (the "cold" soldering iron). The first thing they do is ask you for your card number and address. Then they won't let you off the line. The free gift they offered in the ad was suddenly offered "for free with $4.95 postage and handling." And there is no way to back out at that point as they keep offering you deal after deal. The call took me about ten minutes and there was no way to cancel the order. Next time I'll hang up the second I reach one of these automated systems.

[Jigarotta]

20. I was so pissing angry at that tactic.

I call the pasta thing The Basta! in primordial screams.
I have no idea how long my gestalt treatments vs. suckered in costs are. Prolly even about now, considering.

BASTA!

[radwriter0555]

33. My recent oven came with a built in rotisserie! I LOVE that thing! I had

bought a ronco counter top rotisserie and it broke; the plastic part that does a turning thing just sheered right off.

So a couple years later, I landed this oven with the built in rotisseries.. it's pretty nifty and VERY easy to use.

I still boil water for pasta. I need the pasta water for the butter/cheese sauce I adorn it with.

Pasta MUST have pasta water to make the sauce adhere better.

[Nicole]

21. Let us know how it works with veggies

I'm trying to lay off the pasta for a while.

[texanwitch]

23. That's next, I like veggies.

I am going to use the cookbook that comes with it.

[IdaBriggs]

27. I *adore* my "Magic Bullet!"

Its my "best television" buy ever! Fabulous soup, incredible morning smoothies, and let me just say that my hummus is now nearly "restaurant" quality -- mmmm mmmm! And clean up is A BREEZE!!! :)

[jbnow]

31. I hadn't heard of any of these things!

I asked OP to tell more about Pasta maker. I thought it was for home made Pasta. But I am making a note of all these things to look up what the heck they are and do.
Magic Bullet sounds the most intriguing to me. Soup, smoothies and hummus and easy to clean? Can't imagine what the machine is or does but I am off to look.

adding this: OK I am looking and see many people like them, but can you tell me how it differs from a blender? I haven't found that yet.

[radwriter0555]

28. There isn't a single positive review on Amazon.com.. lol

They all say the pasta is gummy and a blob.

I'll stick with a pot of water, thanks! :D

[LA lady]

29. I returned mine.

I had a giant glob of starch! I was totally disgusted and sent it back. They did refund the purchase price.

By the way, they are available on Ebay for much less.

[Lochloosa]

30. Texanwitch. If you don't cook well, try a wok.

I have found it the best way to cook small, really good meals. The recipes are easy to follow and quick.

I just bought an electric wok from Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend. It's the best 70 bucks I have spent in a long time. Breville® Gourmet Wok. This thing is built to last. Cast iron wok and it comes apart for easy cleaning.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13690693