Milk Street Television Season 4 Episode 20 Quick Pasta

In Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, Season 2 season 4 episode 20, viewers will learn how to make quick and easy pasta dishes that are perfect for a busy weeknight. With Kimball's expert guidance, home cooks will discover how to elevate simple ingredients like pasta, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese into delicious Italian-inspired meals.

The episode begins with a tutorial on how to cook pasta to perfection. Kimball explains that most people cook pasta until it's tender but still has a slight bite to it, also known as al dente. To achieve this, he recommends using a large pot of salted water, adding the pasta only after the water has come to a rolling boil, and stirring frequently while it cooks. He also cautions against rinsing the pasta after draining it, as this can remove the starchy coating that helps sauces adhere to the noodles.

Next, Kimball demonstrates how to make a simple linguine with garlic and olive oil. This classic Italian dish, also known as aglio e olio, showcases the flavors of high-quality olive oil and fresh garlic. Kimball recommends using a finely chopped garlic paste to avoid biting into large chunks of garlic, and cooking it slowly in the oil to infuse the flavors. He also adds red pepper flakes for a little heat, and finishes the dish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you don't have tons of time to spend in the kitchen.

In the second segment, Kimball shows viewers how to make spaghetti alla puttanesca. This flavorful pasta dish gets its name from the Italian word for prostitute, as it was supposedly a favorite of working women who had little time and few ingredients to work with. The sauce is made with canned tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies, which give it a salty, briny flavor. Kimball also adds a touch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, and finishes the dish with fresh basil and Parmesan.

Finally, Kimball prepares a fettuccine with mushroom ragout. This hearty pasta dish is loaded with meaty mushrooms and a rich tomato-based sauce. To make the ragout, Kimball starts by cooking bacon until crispy, then sautéing onions and mushrooms in the rendered fat. He adds canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato paste to create a flavorful sauce that simmers for about 20 minutes. The finished pasta is topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Throughout the episode, Kimball shares helpful tips and tricks for ensuring success with pasta dishes, such as using the right amount of salt, cooking the pasta until al dente, and reserving some of the pasta water to use in the sauce. He also emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients, such as imported pasta, extra-virgin olive oil, and San Marzano tomatoes, to achieve the best results.

Overall, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, Season 2 season 4 episode 20 is a must-watch for any home cook looking to master the art of quick and easy pasta dishes. Kimball's expert guidance and innovative recipes are sure to inspire viewers to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with new flavors and techniques.