When I was first contacted by FiberGourmet to try their fettuccine, I have to admit I wasn't really expecting anything all that different - after all, it is just pasta, right? Well, yes and no. The product itself is a lower-calorie version of standard pasta which, as I understand it, uses a reduced amount of flour that is supplemented with dietary fiber. In fact, there are only three ingredients in the pasta - durum semolina flour, modified wheat starch, and vital wheat gluten - with the addition of just tomato paste or spinach powder in the flavored varieties.
Since I received a sample package that included each of the three types - original, tomato, and spinach fettuccine - I wanted to try the pasta served several different ways to see what worked best, so I gathered up a group of people, sauces and accompaniments, and got to work. (Continued after the jump.)
Texture
Our first batch sat in the boiling water for a few minutes too long, so it was just past the point of al dente. After rinsing it in cold water though, the pasta still held it's shape and wasn't a big glob of starch, so we were pleased with that. Once we cooked the second batch (and timed it according to package directions) the pasta came out perfectly. It is not a coarse pasta - in fact we agreed that the consistency was more similar to that of an egg noodle than a regular one.
Flavor
Though we mixed the three flavors together for ease of serving, we did taste each on their own as well. The flavor of the actual pasta is quite mild and unobtrusive, and is the perfect base for a nice, robust sauce. It doesn't taste like "diet food" at all - quite the opposite actually - and though it may sound a little strange, one of the best compliments I can give them is that it really doesn't taste all that different from regular pasta. In fact, I am fairly certain that I could substitute it for my regular brand without anyone noticing - a rare claim for reduced-calorie foods.
SaucesWe decided not to go the standard route of serving Alfredo sauce with the fettuccine, but instead went to our local Italian Market and picked up a spicy, chunky marinara with whole olives as well as their house special "Valentino Sauce" - a wonderful combination of tomato and cream with large chunks of pancetta. Though I would normally choose the Valentino sauce as my favorite, with this pasta the marinara worked beautifully - especially when served with the tomato-flavored pasta.
Summary
We came to the mutual conclusion that the pasta is definitely worth checking out. We all ate large quantities and left the table feeling satisfied, but not stuffed in that pasta-coma sort of way.
The only real complaint I have is that I'd like to see the tomato-flavored pasta be a bit richer in color, especially since it fades out even more when cooked. Otherwise, I was quite satisfied with the product as a whole.
If you don't want to give up carbs but are looking to reduce your caloric intake, this may be something you'd like to try. Nutritional information, based on 2 oz of uncooked pasta and according to their packaging is as follows:
130 calories
1 gram fat (zero trans)
43 grams carbs
18 grams dietary fiber
2 grams sugar
7 grams protein
For more information on Fiber Gourmet, you can visit their website via this link.
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