Cooking Pasta In Microwave

[Vagus]

I want to have a go at this. Have looked online but anyone who does this got any tips?

[Tilly2]

I haven't done it but imagine that the timing will be crucial.

[Vagus]

Hmm, yes, Tilly, I’ll be really interested to hear of anyone’s exploits. I’m sure it must be doable…but……

[barry1010]

I haven't tried it simply because all the instructions I have seen tell me that to cook dried pasta it is the usual cooking time plus 3 minutes so it seems pointless.
Still needs a litre of water, far less than in a saucepan on the hob, but I'm not convinced that it won't boil over in the microwave.

[Tilly2]

Maybe the wooden spoon trick would help, Barry.

[barry1010]

Maybe, Tilly, I use that trick on the hob

[gingejbee]

I've just looked in my "1000 microwave recipe" book and yes, it's doable...but takes longer than the normal way! (eg dried shells take 12 to 14 mins plus 5 mins standing) and can be quite messy, I'd guess.
Probably sticks together like glue!

[Tilly2]

Two wooden spoons for me, Barry. :-)

[TheWinner]

You don't need to cook pasta at all. Put the penne (or shells, whatever) in a pan. Boil the kettle. Pour boiling water over the pasta. Put the pan on the stove and bring the water back to boiling point. (less than a minute). Take it off the heat and put on a tight fitting pan lid. In about 10 to 15 minutes the pasta will be done. Drain and use.

[Vagus]

I don’t want to use a pan on the hob at all, the winner.
I think I’ll have a go with the microwave at some point this week and see what happens.

[gingejbee]

The Winner...^^^that IS cooking pasta!

[TheWinner]

OK, good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[Tilly2]

Are you going to be without a hob, Vagus?

[TheWinner]

gingjbee, very funny, that's "pasta" joke.... you know I meant, that you don't need to have the gas going the whole time it's cooking.

[Tilly2]

Does it become tepid, The Winner?

[barry1010]

I cook frozen peas by pouring boiling water over them, letting them sit in the saucepan for about 20 minutes until I'm about ready to dish up then bringing up to the boil.

[TheWinner]

Yes. We drain it, put it back in the pan then stir in say a bottle of Lloyd Grossman pasta sauce. Put the whole thing into a large casserole dish and put it in the fridge. We all work different hours, so its ready to decant into a bowl which we then microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or until hot.

[Toorak]

Does Pasta know that you are planning to do this to her?