Perfect Pasta! (Rice & Pasta Dishes)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	Rice & Pasta Dishes
Date:	23/01/08 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: delicious, healthy, filling, variety in texture, can be stored

Disadvantages: does not appeal to all

When I was little, my mum used to make herself a pasta dish for herself, something I'd not dream of eating at the time; it looked utterly revolting! A few years ago though, when she made it again when I went to stay with her for a week, I gave it a sample, my taste buds much more adapt by now. I fell in love with it straight away, and now find myself preparing it for myself, though I have adapted it slightly!


*****
To make one portion of the dish, you will need the following quantities of ingredients;

75g pasta shells
60g tuna
Tablespoon of sweetcorn
Two 'dollops' of mayonnaise
30g grated cheese

(I prefer to use Weight Watchers ready-made Tuna Mayo and Sweetcorn pots instead of making up my own now, this is also an option).



You will also need to gather the following equipment before you start;

Medium sized pan
Scales
Tablespoon
A plate



===What To Do===
1. Fill the pan two-thirds full of cold water, and bring to the boil on the cooker.
2. When the water is boiling, add in the pasta carefully, as not to splash any of the water.
It depends on the pasta itself as to how long it takes to cook, but shells usually take anywhere between 5-10 minutes. You will need to keep an eye on your shells as they cook, stirring them every minute or so to make sure they separate properly.
3. When the pasta shells are soft, and you are guaranteed they are cooked properly, turn off the cooker, and remove the pan, draining out the water over the sink.
4. As you leave the pasta to cool, its time to make up the filling. If you are making your own, mix up first of all the tuna with the mayonnaise, and add in the tuna.
5. Put the tuna mix into a bowl, and add in your grated cheese, mixing it through so it blends in together, instead of being two different fillings.
6. When the pasta is cool, you can either put it on the plate, and then dollop the filling alongside it, or you can mix it all together so that it becomes combined and blended in. (I personally mix it all together so the shells are coated with filling).

And of course, the last thing to do is to tuck in! This serves one person, and is quite a small portion size, as I find this dish to be extremely filling. If you do not wish to have so much tuna, or you'd rather have more cheese, you can always take the risk and add in more or less to suit your taste buds!

This can also be stored in a container in the fridge for a short while too, so you can make up large amounts and store it for a later date if you do not eat it all!




===Who Is This For?===
I don't think this is a dish that would appeal to all; I did not fancy it as a child, and I'm not sure how many youngsters would enjoy it nowadays, but I suppose there is no harm in them trying it! Also, not everybody likes fish, so the tuna may be a downfall, as would the sweetcorn (I used to detest the texture, now I love it!).

This, in my opinion, is really good for dieters, if they use the right ingredients, as it is incredibly filling, so large portions and meals are not required!

This is definitely worth a try if you enjoy all the ingredients, and you never know; you too could become addicted!




===Nutrition===
There are no set nutritional values for this, as it all depends on what ingredients you use, but I shall tell you mine.

I use whole-wheat pasta shells, and Weight Watchers Tuna Mayonnaise and Sweetcorn, as well as Weight Watchers mild grated cheese. In total, it comes to just under 400 calories per potion size, but as I said, it depends on what products you use as to how much you intake!





===Would I Recommend?===
I would definitely recommend this dish; it's quick and easy to make, and extremely delicious in my opinion! It can be stored, so it does not need to be eaten immediately. You can also vary its contents i.e. more or less in quantity, and if I remember correctly, my mum used to put crushed up crisps in hers, but I am not a huge fan of crisps so I stay clear of that, even though it provides a more interesting texture!
If you like all the ingredients, Id say you should definitely give this a try!




*****
This is a delicious, healthy and filling pasta dish with a variety in taste and texture that will keep you going and provide you with bursts of energy and plenty of nutrition! Easy to make, it is perfect as a quick meal if you are in a hurry, or as a side dish to a main meal!


© Amy 2008

Summary: a quick and easy pasta dish with variables