Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

moneyistooshorttomention

auntymabel wrote: »

Saw a tip today for cooking pasta faster and using less fuel simply by putting the pasta in the pan with cold water. It didn't say how long to cook for and I'll have to try it to find out.

I'm feeling puzzled by never using any heat on it....

I get a saucepan of water to boiling on a hotplate. Add (dried) pasta and bring it back to boil. Slap on lid of saucepan. Switch hotplate off. Leave 10 minutes.

Frugalsod

auntymabel wrote: »

Saw a tip today for cooking pasta faster and using less fuel simply by putting the pasta in the pan with cold water. It didn't say how long to cook for and I'll have to try it to find out.

Pre-soaking does reduce the cooking time. If you soak sufficiently before hand you literally only need to get it to the boil. Remember normally part of the time boiling is needed to help the pasta rehydrate.

sparrer

I cook rice and pasta in a bowl in the mw. Pour a kettle of boiling water in, add salt to taste and rice/pasta, cook on high for 5 mins, turn off and allow to cook through in its own heat. It only takes a couple of minutes and always turns out perfectly.

auntymabel

Apologies for not being clear about the heating in my original post.I shouldn't operate heavy machinery or type after 10pm!
I tried the quick pasta method and it took 6 minutes to cook wholemeal pasta after the water came to the boil. I usually cook it for 12 minutes.

Frugalsod, I think your method looks better. How long do you soak the pasta for?

Purplesky_2

I'm on page 44, and I don't know if this has already been suggested, but cutting up cards from birthdays and christmas can yield unusual gift tags for presents. Just need to punch a hole in the top! and absolutely no outlay!

Frugalsod

auntymabel wrote: »

Apologies for not being clear about the heating in my original post.I shouldn't operate heavy machinery or type after 10pm!
I tried the quick pasta method and it took 6 minutes to cook wholemeal pasta after the water came to the boil. I usually cook it for 12 minutes.

Frugalsod, I think your method looks better. How long do you soak the pasta for?

I do not any longer as I make my own pasta so already rehydrated.

Though you could soak for an hour or overnight if you need it first thing in the morning. You can usually tell by looking at it.

moneyistooshorttomention

Am trying to think JUST how long I've had a pasta machine for - but not tried it out yet

Is it easy to make your own pasta FrugalSod and how long do you think it takes?

debbym

DD's birthday party and we wanted to give goody bags with sweets in them to guests but where unable to find any that were cheap and age appropriate (she's a teenager). we made these origami ones instead of buying plastic, the bonus is that DD was able to personalise each one by using a printed paper (with images from internet and colour printer) that was specific to that guest.
Origami gift bag tutorial (you tube)

Frugalsod

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Am trying to think JUST how long I've had a pasta machine for - but not tried it out yet

Is it easy to make your own pasta FrugalSod and how long do you think it takes?

It is actually very simple just eggs and 00 flour. I mix mine in the food processor for a few minutes, till it looks like breadcrumbs. Then extrude it though one of the many dies for my Kenwood. That takes longest as you need to spoon in the mixture slowly and then cut the pasta as it comes out. It still does not take that long. It only takes minutes, plus fresh pasta cooks quicker.

Cost wise it is around the same cost as dried pasta but if you are a fresh pasta sort of person then it does save you a lot. For me it was a lifestyle boost, as I can quite easily cope with dried pasta.

DollyDabbler

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Am trying to think JUST how long I've had a pasta machine for - but not tried it out yet

Is it easy to make your own pasta FrugalSod and how long do you think it takes?

It is really easy, and if you mess up when rolling, stick it through again. Roll some flour through your pasta machine first. I made 1 chicken fillet go boiiiiing as I stuck it in the food processor with just seasoning first and after realising it went a long way, stuck a red pepper in for the 2nd batch, it freezes brilliantly as well, i made raviolis.