TASTECARD REVEALS TOP 10 ROOKIE MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE EATING PASTA
In celebration of World Pasta Day on 25 October, the UK’s largest diners’ club, tastecard has revealed the top ten rookie mistakes people make eating the dish.
Pasta is a favourite across the world, especially to those who enjoy the food like a true Italian. However, many are unaware there’s a common etiquette when enjoying this Italian staple.
According to a recent YouGov study1, the carb lover’s dream cuisine has become a common dinner choice in the UK with Italian food being voted the second most-loved cuisine. Surprisingly, people still make rookie mistakes when eating and ordering the dish.
tastecard checked in with Italian restaurant partners Prezzo, ASK Italian, Theo’s Simple Italian and more, to learn about some of the most common mistakes pasta eaters make while enjoying one of the world’s favourite and most versatile dishes.
ONE – Cutting pasta with a knife
The fork is the only utensil that should touch your pasta. When it comes to long shaped pastas (including fresh ones like tagliatelle or pappardelle) do not cut pasta or use a spoon ever as it’s deemed as impolite.
TWO – Seafood and cheese is a NO NO
This is a touchy subject for cheese lovers, but grated parmesan on a seafood pasta dish is a rookie mistake. The strong cheese flavour will overwhelm the delicate taste of the fish. Pointless, right?
THREE – Pair the right pasta with the right sauce
Many are not aware, but Italians have a few guidelines for matching shapes with a suitable sauce. For example, fine delicate strands work best with light, smooth sauces while twisted shapes and wider ribbons can support chunkier sauces. Pairing sauces and shapes well can make it a lot easier to enjoy!
Chef Director of Prezzo, Paul Lewis says: “I always use dried pasta and cook it for one minute less that the packet instructions, you can then add it to the sauce to finish cooking and take on more flavour!”
In addition, for those feeling adventurous, a spokesperson at ASK Italian recommends using a food processor and a manual pasta machine to crank the pasta by hand if opting for an easy home-made pasta.
FOUR – Salad dressing is strictly for salad, not pasta
Oil is all you need when dressing up your pasta. The dish is stylish enough, don’t overdo it! Some of you are guilty as charged.
FIVE – Don’t slurp, mmm is better
In some cultures, slurping is a sign of enjoying your meal, however in the Italian culture it’s frowned upon. Simply, rubbing your tummy and warmly saying ‘mmmm’ is all you need to do if you can’t help but react.
SIX – Be ready to dig in fast
Pasta must be served al dente, warm and fresh and re-heating is a big no-no. Unlike some people who put the pasta in the plate with the sauce on top of it, tradition dictates that the cooked pasta must be mixed in together with the sauce. As soon as it is all properly stirred, it should be served and be eaten immediately.
SEVEN – Use your bread as a mop. No buttering at the table
It’s not advised to butter you bread when you eat your pasta, it’s also not advised to eat bread with your pasta. The bread is commonly used to mop up sauces as you’re only supposed to use a fork…remember. Please refer to point one if you don’t.
EIGHT – No hot drinks with food
Teas and coffees should never be drunk with a meal! While in the UK you might go into a ‘greasy spoon’ café and get a mug of tea, this not the case in Italy. Hot drinks are ordered at the end.
Celebrity Chef Theo Randall from Theo’s Simple Italian, said: “I tend to stick by if it’s light and refreshing, go for a white wine. If it’s deep and robust then go for a red. I would suggest not having something acidic or citric with any creamy dishes! It’s always nice to follow your meal with an Italian liqueur or espresso.”
NINE – Master the twirling technique
For shapes like spaghetti and tagliatelle, simply twirl the pasta around your fork to pick it up. Make sure there aren’t too many loose ends! This saves you from making a mess at dinner.
TEN – The greatest sin
Never, ever, ever pour tomato ketchup over your pasta. Tomato ketchup is one of the most frowned upon condiments in the Italian kitchen. A true tomato sauce is cooked with onions, fresh tomatoes, salt and if necessary, a pinch of sugar. Restaurant partners advise against spoiling a beautifully cooked plate by adding liquid sugar.
Anwar Sultan, Chief Marketing Officer at tastecard said: “With tastecard offering a vast range of Italian restaurants, there’s a starch difference between eating it right and eating it wrong. It’s PASTAnomical!”
Since its inception as tastelondon in 2006, tastecard offers members 50% off food and 2 for 1 meals at 6,000+ restaurants including Prezzo, Pizza Express, Zizzi, Bella Italia and more!
