Buy It And Try It: Pasta 'N More

 This is supposed to create perfect pasta every time -- right in your
microwave. Let's find out if it does what it claims.

At Espanol Italian on Folsom Blvd., you're entering a decades old
family run business.

"I was around 12 when I started," said Karen.

Karen and her sister Paula who remember working at their original
location in Old Sacramento which was torn down in the 60s to make room
for I-5.

Their Italian menu hasn't changed too much since then.

"A lot of the recipes have stayed the same," said Karen.

I brought them my Pasta 'n More.

The commercial says: "It's the amazing new pasta cooker than serves
perfect pasta without the hassle."

But these sisters say boiling water isn't really a hassle. They check
out the plastic device.

"I don't think it could cook it very good. It just doesn't look like
it would," said Karen.

The box says to just cook pasta in the microwave, drain and serve. We
search for the instructions and realize it didn't come with any. We
don't know how much pasta or water to use or how long to cook it. It
also didn't come with the promised cook book.

"I couldn't even tell you how to do it," said Karen.

So we call it a day, and call the company for directions. The company
faxed us directions and we're back.

We now know you can measure spaghetti servings in the special handles.
We're going to make enough for two. You fill the water up to a
designated line and put it in the microwave for 15 minutes. You can
strain in right through the lid.

"The strainer part is not bad," said Karen.

She puts it on a plate and tastes it.

"No, well, yeah, it's not really... it kind of worked!" said Karen.

She didn't think it would. I try it, and sure enough our spaghetti is al dente.

"I was expecting it not to work at all," said Karen.

Let's try it on some penne. The directions say cook it for 17 minutes
-- stirring once in the middle. She does, then drains it and dresses
it up before the taste test.

"Well, it cooked it okay, I mean I'm surprised," said Karen.

It passes our test, but she's concerned it takes too long.

"It's just too much time, you can just boil some water, put some pasta
in it, in less than 10 minutes you can have it," said Karen.

It costs $19.95 plus shipping and handling. We bought it from
AsSeenOnTVGuys.com.