Pasta Time
In Italy, pasta is the main dish of every important meal. Eating pasta in Italy, or with an Italian, is a serious experience – an almost spiritual one, actually.
There are rules to follow that make it a sublime happening every time, one you will never forget.
It must be cooked al dente, so that it is firm to the bite. No throwing it on the wall to check that it’s cooked, please!
It must be served in a piatto fondo, a soup dish, so that the curved sides help you twirl your spaghetti around your fork.
Parmesan cheese must be grated fresh and is always a great addition, except on fish or mushroom sauces. And yes, you are more than welcome to scoop up any remaining sauce with your bread once you have finished your pasta dish: it shows you appreciated it and your host will be thrilled.
Did you know that eating pasta can contribute to a good mood? It contains tryptophan, an amino acid that turns into serotonin, which is a natural mood stabilizer – the so-called hormone of happiness – but also plays an important role in supporting bone health and helping the body in healing wounds.
A good plate of pasta gives you a feeling of wellbeing and pleasure. It boosts your mood, stimulates the thyroid gland and helps you sleep.
It gratifies the palate, enhances conviviality and stimulates your happiness hormones.
