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If you're a pasta fan but lead a typically American life, then you might want to consider a cooking aid that's going to make life easier.  After all, isn't that what we're all after?  The beauty of the Pasta Express is that once you boil water, your commitment to your pasta ends. 

Using the Pasta Express tube is simple. There are four steps to making pasta with a Pasta Express:

1. Fill Pasta Express up with your pasta (whatever variety it may be--I tried some ricotta and chicken tortellini and then spaghetti);
   
2. Pour hot water into Pasta Express;
3. Go watch TV  or attend with your screaming children or prepare garlic bread/pasta sauce/salad;
4. Don't stir, don't watch your pasta boil, don't strain the water out of your pot and don't take the chance of scalding your hand and get a face full of steam while doing it.  But keep in mind that the water you're straining is still boiling hot.
   

Pasta Express claims to take seven minutes to completely cook pasta.  My recommendation is closer to about eight or nine minutes for most pasta and 15 minutes for spaghetti to be thoroughly cooked.  Your cooking time depends on your personal preference.  Once that amount of time has elapsed, screw off the top lid and pour the water out.  This makes life in the kitchen easier because you don't need to dig out your strainer or colander and eventually give your undivided attention to cleaning it later.  Next, pop off the bottom lid and pour pasta onto your plate.  Done and done.

We confess that there are a few shortcomings of the Pasta Express.  For those people considered vertically challenged, the 13-inch tall Pasta Express tube will prove to be somewhat of a challenge to put the lids on initially if the Pasta Express is set on a countertop.  The bottom lid takes a little work to properly put on.  We recommend using a dish cloth to apply even pressure on the bottom lid to snap it closed.  You don't want the lid to come off when you are straining your pasta.

All in all, the Pasta Express tube is a convenient way to make pasta.  If cooking a full meal for your family is a daily challenge, especially with younger children, then Pasta Express will give you back precious time to focus on other parts of your meal or other needs around the house.  But you still have to warm up sauce and add vegetables--Pasta Express never promises to do these things though.

If you consider yourself an Italian chef but are constrained by your American reality, Pasta Express is definitely worth the $19.95.  Italian cuisine has never been easier.

PASTA EXPRESS

TVTopTen.com Price: $19.95 + $9.95 S&H
Comes with: FREE Personal Size Pasta Express

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