New Gadgets, Short Cuts And Good Eats.
I know I know…all we need in our kitchens is another gadget!
Please hear me out. This is really a good one.
Do you ever do a guessing game when it comes to knowing how much pasta to cook?OK, maybe you have it down to a science now…but I’m guessing it took a few tries and that sometimes you still have a little more or a little less than you wanted to prepare.
That is where this little Fasta Pasta cooker comes in.
It is so simple and I can usually prepare a pasta dish in 15 minutes or less by using this little cooker.
AND….I don’t have to worry about an extra pot on the stove or a boil over or any mess like that.
OK, here is the deal.
One night after a very late ball game, I could not sleep and I flipped channels and watched mesmerized as a cook using a Fasta Pasta cooker, cooked perfect rice, spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, macaroni…well, any pasta you can imagine and made it perfect every time and clean up was a breeze. Just a clear container to rinse under hot water.
No, this is not a paid advertisement.
The next day I ran out to Bed Bath & Beyond and paid $12.00 for my Fasta Pasta. I have seen them at Target and Wal-Mart and Kohl’s…the price is about the same.
And I absolutely love the ease in which I can make any pasta. I find that I can prepare whatever else I need for my dish while the Fasta Pasta is in the microwave.
The first thing I made was macaroni salad…then I made jasmine rice…then I made lasagna…then I made Orzo and then I ventured out and made veggies including broccoli and asparagus. Endless possibilities and perfectly cooked.
Yep, I am sold on this little gadget, and the recipe below is a good way to test this cooker and the mac & cheese comes out so perfect.
The recipe is a simple recipe and by using breadcrumbs mixed with butter for a topping…each individual mac & cheese cup comes out of the oven crunchy and good.
You see, after the mac & cheese is prepared, you pop it in the oven for added crispiness and if you have any left over, you can freeze the mac & cheese cups until needed.
So easy.
Have you tried the Fasta Pasta cooker?
Even if you don’t use this new little gadget, make this recipe of delicious mac & cheese cups.
Yummy!
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard (optional)
- 1 cup of cream or half and half (you could substitute whole milk and 1 egg)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- For the topping
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Use baking spray or grease a 12-cup muffin pan and set aside.
- *Use the lid on a pasta cooker to measure pasta servings (I used 4 servings) and place pasta in the cooker.
- Add the salt and cold water to the level 4 guide (on the side of the cooker) and do not overfill
- With lid off, place cooker in the microwave for 10 minutes
- Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the cream or half and half and cook, whisking continuously until thick and boiling, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the cheese, whisking until melted. Whisk in dry mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
- Remove pasta from microwave, place lid on the container and drain
- Add the macaroni to the cheese mixture, mixing well
- Spoon macaroni and cheese into prepared 12-cup muffin pan, packing tightly so the cups hold together.
- Make the topping by mixing the melted butter and breadcrumbs together and place a spoonful on each of the macaroni and cheese cups
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let them cool in the pan about 10 minutes before removing them. Serve immediately.
- *You may make your macaroni in the conventional way if you do not have this little pasta cooker.
- You may also put the left over macaroni cups in a freezer bag and freeze for another time. I like this because none is wasted and I have a side dish for another meal.
Rossana says
Confession time, just delved into the back of the cling wrap, portion bags etc shelf, for a post Christmas Day tidy up, and found a Lekue steamer, liberated in last years New Year’s Day sale. It has a noodle/pasta recipe too hehehe. Forgot about it totally and my healthy plans for steamed salmon and vegetables! This from someone who already has a traditional pot steamer in easy reach!
No hope for us honey… Should I dust my spiralizer now?
Keep blogging it brightens my days. Hugs from across the pond xx
Kari says
You are right my friend….no hope. Do you remember that herb gadget I bought when you were here? NEVER used it but once. Someone once said if an item only has one purpose….don’t get it. I really should remember that. haha Although, I have to confess that I do use the fasta pasta at least 3 times a week. Especially when the Captain is flying. It seems I do not know proportions for one serving of anything! 🙂
Hugs xxxxx
Rossana says
Oh Kari what a laugh you have given me with this gadget
Although…. Picture it, Sicily 1922…. I’m sure Sophia would have something to say too!
Realistically you have to weigh up any actual time saving and what you do with that few minutes over finding space in the cupboard for another Tupperware container that is reinventing the wheel. Plus the remembering where you have tucked it for the next time. Yes Tupperware made one some years back too and was much discussed at home when we saw it advertised.
But I’m a little protective about the correct way to cook pasta ? and the extra time is usually needed to pour that much needed glass of wine… Hehehe
Hugs from across the pond xx
Kari says
I luv it Ross….picture this…cabinets full of “stuff”…now where did I put my onion holder? teehehehe
hugs xxxxx
Me
Kari says
I love gadgets…..now if I can just remember where I put that. haha thanks for stopping by.
Annie says
Thanks for heads up on this little gadget. I am going to search one out, I love gadgets. Recipe sounds great, too.
Kari says
I am too Annie…that is why my cabinets look like a department store. haha
thanks for stopping by.