Saturday, December 4, 2010

Cookbook review: The Geometry of Pasta



The Geometry of Pasta tells you the perfect pasta shape for the perfect sauce. Not every shape goes with marinara; just as there's a reason most people use elbow macaroni in macaroni and cheese and not, say, ziti. It lists all the different types of pasta, which sauces go best with each one, and then gives recipes. There's broccoli rabe with orecchiette; pappardelle with zucchini and zucchini flowers; and more obscure shapes, like strozzapreti (with squid and broccoli) and chifferi rigati (with green olives and tomatoes).

You probably won't be able to find a lot of these shapes at your local supermarket, so unless you make your own pasta, it'll be difficult to utilize every recipe in this book. Nevertheless, I love the drawings, and I love the recipes. And being a nerd, I appreciate the scientific explanation behind surface texture = type of sauce.

So I'm giving away a copy! Leave a comment as to your favorite pasta shape by midnight tonight, and I'll choose one at random!


6 comments:

  1. I'm not picky with pasta, but I do particularly enjoy lasagna :)

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  2. Ooh, it's a tough choice but I'm going to have to go with Penne; they seem to be the most versatile.

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  3. nothing beats wagon wheels!

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  4. Pici! I love that its not perfect, and it reminds me of Montepulciano every time I make it!

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  5. My Favorite Pasta would has to be Ravioli! Especially if its filled with crab filling! Yumm! :)

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  6. Cavatappi! Love the corkscrews, especially for mac and cheese :)

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