Tricks for Cooking Pasta Correctly
Pasta is one of the most popular dishes in the world. To cook pasta correctly, you need to know the most straightforward methods. But of course, everyone has their way of cooking pasta. We learned the tricks of cooking pasta correctly from Italian chefs.
1. Do not add oil to the water
There is one rule everyone should know: don’t add oil to your water when cooking pasta! The best way to prevent pasta from sticking together is to use a generous amount of water. The starches will disperse in the water, and the sticky glue will lose its effect. This is where the golden rule of the Italians comes into play: 1-10-100 rule! 1 liter of water and 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta is ideal. These proportions ensure that the pasta floats freely and does not stick together.
2. Boil the water
Now for another important step: bringing the water to the boil! Do you want to cook your pasta ‘al dente’ so it stays slightly al dente? Here lies the secret! Boiling water plays a key role here, as the pasta should have as little contact with water as possible. It gelatinizes the starches contained in the pasta, making them digestible and increasing their flavor.
3. Add Salt to Boiling Water
And remember to add the salt to the boiling water! This will help flavor the pasta and give it that unique taste. It will be a feast for the taste buds!
A little tip about the sauce: Remember to reserve some cooking water if your sauce is too thick. And here is the most critical step: drain the pasta, but never rinse it! This prevents the starch from getting on the pasta and the sauce from sticking to it. And that’s the start of a delicious adventure!
Here is a Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients:
- 400 grams of spaghetti
- 4 liters of water
- 40 grams of salt
Preparation:
- Boil water in a large pot.
- Add the salt to the boiling water and add the spaghetti.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until the spaghetti is al dente.
- Reserve a ladleful of the cooking water.
- Drain the spaghetti and place on a serving plate without rinsing.
- Pour the sauce over it and adjust the consistency with the spoon you reserved from the cooking water.
- Enjoy your meal!
Try these tips and recipes for the proper pasta cooking adventure. Pasta makes everyone happy, especially when cooked right! Remember to have fun while cooking and feel like an Italian chef in your kitchen!