AllMovie

The Frugal Gourmet, with chef Jeff Smith, is an amazingly thorough video collection with over 80 episodes that include food recipes from around the world. In each episode, Smith demonstrates several simple but important recipes. This episode discovers why America loves pasta so much. It begins with a trip to a pasta factory. Then its back to the kitchen for recipes like Pasta with Clam and Vegetable Sauce, Fettuccini with Salami and Zucchini, Angel Hair Pasta with Broccoli and Three Cheeses, Pasta Primavera, and Noodles with Bleu Cheese. Smith not only cooks, he also discusses the theological and anthropological histories of the dishes he prepares. He brings humor and wide-ranging knowledge into the kitchen.