Similar way I treat my maids as what you JM suggested, but these collectively make them then complain me for finding fault with her/ dissing her. At times just a lil persuation to correct them is magnified by them to become "shouting at", or even "ill-treating".. I got these messages from the maids themselves when they threw temper on me, from neighbours around, agents, and once even from the Christian Act when there was a lawsuit. What more can we say! They have labour laws, religious bodies (so called), and the consulate to protect and we have none!
I think she is just being stupid. At least you would ask you whether she should cook pasta. Mine? I have to write down everything my son eats and we eat in a boko. If I forget to put "meat" on the menu, she will only cook my son vegetables!!! Mind you she has been working in HK for 2 years....she still doesn't use her head....
you should punish her, e.g. give her plain rice only for dinner!
my maid gave boiling hot water to me to take medicine, I asked her to drink it in front of me!! next time she gave boiling hot milk to my boy (aged 5), I asked her to drink it again!!
now she will tell me before I drink the water that 'it's a litte bit hot'.... haha