For a Mom who got three boys in the house who loves pasta very much, the National Pasta Day is just a right event for my boys to appreciate not only the pasta but my cooking as well most especially with Doña Elena Al Dente. This is my first time to hear and be in the celebration about pasta. All I know is that October is United Nations Month. So it was great being invited in this celebration as Doña Elena takes pasta appreciation on a higher level by recognizing pasta not just a single day but a whole month celebration.
I remember the term ‘al dente’ when the program started and the host said “buon giorno” which means "good morning or good day" in Italian. That’s the time I realized that al dente was the Italian term for firm. Silly me.
According to them since pasta is just one of the food that are well consumed in five different continents pasta lovers take their hike of making a day for pasta appreciation. As a trivia the celebration of National Pasta Day and National Pasta Month is not celebrated in the Philippines but also in some parts of the world.
For this year’s celebration, Doña Elena Al Dente invited bloggers and pasta lovers to take their pasta experience to a whole new level and to start with is choosing the pasta to use. Of course we want a very nice outcome of what we’re going to experience with our pasta. Since Doña Elena Al Dente is an al dente pasta here are some facts about it.

• It is the only Artisan Quality Italian pasta.
• It is made of high quality, 100% durum wheat semolina or hard wheat. Only pasta made from Durum Wheat can be considered al dente.
• It was made through the artisan way of cooking pasta which is slow drying process and not subjected to high heat. It uses a special bronze dies which leaves a rough surface that creates ridges on the pasta. These ridges help sauces stick to the pasta better.
• It has 13% protein which is the result of the slow-cooking process which preserves its nutrients.
• It is also GMO-free, 100% all natural.

During the appreciation event held at Black Board, Chef Michel Cottabaren shares three delectable new recipes using Doña Elena Al Dente Penne Rigate, Doña Elena Al Dente Fettucini, and Doña Elena Al Dente Lasagna. Too bad we’re not able to see the whole process but hey you can still try the recipe shared by Doña Elena Al Dente, the Pasta Mediterraneo using Doña Elena Olive Oil and Doña Elena Mediterranean products or the Shrimp and Pasta Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing using Doña Elena Al Dente Fusilli. See the recipes below.
Doña Elena Al Dente got a tip for all pasta lovers, “Don’t put oil on your pasta when boiling to see the quality of your pasta.” Doña Elena Al Dente does not require oil because it doesn’t stick together.
Doña Elena variants include Spaghetti (500g), Fettuccine (500g), Lasagna (500g), Penne Rigate (500g and 250g) and Fusilli (500g and 250g).

To know more about pastas and Dona Elena products visit their website www.flyacecorp.com or it’s facebook page www.facebook.com/Donaelenacuisineraclub