How to Prepare Perfect Pasta

The ability to prepare perfect pasta is an essential in any kitchen, as so many dishes can be prepared using pasta. Unfortunately, preparing perfect pasta is easier said than done for many people. Learning to prepare al dente pasta; however, can be simple when you follow a few simple steps.

To prepare perfect pasta, you need the right tools. These kitchen tools include a large stock pot, pasta, salt, a long handled spoon and a kitchen timer.

The first step in preparing perfect pasta is to fill the stockpot with water. Fill the stockpot nearly full. One of the most common problems with pasta is having it stick; which is caused by not using enough
water. Try to use a stockpot that will hold at least 5 quarts of water.
Add salt. Even if you are on a low sodium diet, add a dash of salt. It won’t affect the sodium level of your recipe much and it will make the pasta taste better.

Now, bring the water to a rolling boil. You will know the water has reached a rolling boil when you stir it but it won’t stop boiling.

Be sure to measure the pasta correctly. Remember that pasta will double in size when it is cooked, so if you use 1 cup of uncooked pasta, you will have 2 cups of cooked pasta.

Add the pasta to the boiling water slowly, do not just dump it all in the water. If the water is boiling hot enough, it shouldn’t stop boiling when you add the pasta.

Stir the pasta after you have added it. It is extremely important to stir the pasta while it cooks, otherwise it will stick together.

You should begin timing your pasta when it returns to a boil. Ideally, it shouldn’t have stopped boiling when you added the pasta, but if it did, it won’t hurt anything. It will start boiling again and you should begin timing at that point. Be sure to check the package directions to find out how long to boil the specific type of pasta you are using. Usually, pastas will cook between 8 and 12 minutes.

If the pasta begins to boil over, regulate the heat by lowering it just slightly.

When the pasta is approaching the end of its recommended cooking time, remove a piece to taste test. When the pasta is perfect, or al dente, it should be tender but retain a small core in the middle.
When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it in a colander.

If you are serving a hot dish, do not rinse the pasta. Rinsing it will remove the starch; which helps to hold the sauce on the pasta. If you are serving a cold dish; however, do go ahead and rinse.

 
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