Cooking pasta, for some, is a daunting challenge. For example…a cousin of mine cooked pasta for so long…he would always come out of the pot in a big group.
If your pasta isn’t working out…the following tips will help you get fantastic results every time.
1. How much pasta per person? This always seems to be a problem for everyone. Only you know your family’s appetite… but… this is the general rule. A one pound box of pasta will serve 4 large diners. If you are preparing other dishes to accompany your pasta, a one pound box would easily serve up to 6 people. Note: One cup of raw pasta is equal to two cups of cooked pasta.
2. How to salt the pasta? I add a lot of salt to my pasta water. I have been told that it must taste of the sea. Taste the water after you have added the salt…the salty taste should be noticeable.
3. Should the water be boiled first? Yes! Bring the water to a vigorous boil before adding the pasta… a boil you won’t be able to stop by stirring.
4. In how much water to cook the pasta? Make sure the pasta has plenty of room to breathe. You want the paste to have enough water to move around freely so it can soak up the water. If there is not enough water, the paste will stick together and become sticky. Also, you will find raw pieces that have been glued together.
5. How to add pasta to boiling water? Slowly add the pasta to the boiling water. Ideally, the water should not stop boiling. If the water stops boiling, just stir the pasta until the water starts to boil again. This prevents the paste from sticking.
6. How do you know when the pasta is ready? The best way is to taste. Read the directions on the package and I suggest checking for the perfect ‘al dente’ texture during cooking time. The pasta is cooked enough when it is “al dente”… that is… it has a little bit of flavor. You’ve overcooked it if it’s sticky.
7. Should I rinse the paste? Some people like to rinse the pasta if it’s used in a pasta salad (I don’t bother). The choice is yours. Why not try it both ways? Don’t rinse the pasta if you’re adding a sauce…you’ll want to keep it’s starchy texture so the sauce will stick.
8. Drain the pasta? Most people drain all the water… this could be a mistake. Keeping a little water will prevent it from sticking. Also, the sauce will blend better. I always save a small amount of the pasta water in case the pasta gets too dry.
9. Heat up your serving bowl! It’s a good idea to serve your creation in a warm serving bowl. It’s a nice added touch.
Notes: Never cook two types of noodles together because each type has a different cooking time. One more thing… if the noodles are used in a casserole, cook them a bit because they will finish cooking in the oven.