Pasta express takes the slow lane.(CLAIM CHECK)(Brief article)

The claim. Pasta Express is "the fastest, easiest way to cook delicious pasta, vegetables and more!" Put food in the plastic tube, add boiling water, snap on strainer and lid, wait 7 to 10 minutes, pour out the water, and voila. "Perfect cooking every time."

The check. We sent the device home with three Foods Division employees whose kids had begged for the product with the zeal usually reserved for sugary cereals. A summary of their reports:

Staffer 1: It was hard to put a fork in the tube, so I ended up dipping my fingers in the hot water repeatedly to pull out spaghetti to test for doneness. After 15 minutes, pasta was a little gummier than usual. Asparagus was delicious.

Staffer 2: I checked if the pasta was done by dumping it out, and found it half-cooked. I then put the pasta in a pot of ...