| Want to cook perfect pasta every time? It's easy with | | | | your water is boiling again after adding the pasta, add |
| these handy pasta tips. The sale of pasta is up as | | | | the 1 tbs of salt and cook it the remainder of the time |
| more people look for tasty budget recipes to cook at | | | | uncovered. Putting your pasta into water that is not |
| home. Pasta is so versatile and filling so it's no wonder | | | | yet boiling releases starches which act like glue, making |
| cooks love to create their dinner menus around it. You | | | | it stick together. |
| can get perfect pasta every time by following these | | | | 8. Stir your pasta about 3 times during cooking time. |
| top 12 pasta cooking tips: | | | | This also helps cut down on pasta sticking together. |
| 1. Purchase pasta made from 100% semolina. The label | | | | 9. Don't add oils to cooking water. This keeps sauces |
| might also read durum-wheat semolina. Durum wheat | | | | from sticking to the pasta. |
| pasta retains its shape when cooking and doesn't get | | | | 10. Don't overcook your pasta. |
| sticky or soft. | | | | Most pasta requires about 8-10 minutes to cook. Start |
| 2. Cook pasta just before serving. | | | | timing your pasta once the water starts boiling again. |
| 3. Which pasta shapes do what? | | | | The best test for doneness is the taste test. Simply |
| * Long pastas - Long pasta is best with seafood | | | | take a piece of pasta from the pot and taste it to |
| recipes. Seafood pasta dishes tend to be oily -oil helps | | | | make sure it's soft. |
| the long pasta move and not stick together. | | | | 11. The best pasta tip is to be attentive. Pasta can |
| * Small pasta - Small pasta shapes are more suited is | | | | overcook quickly or stick to the bottom of your pan. |
| best suited to meat and ricotta pasta sauces. | | | | Stay close at hand and keep an eye on it while |
| * Larger pastas - Larger shaped pasta such as | | | | cooking. |
| rigatoni, conchiglie (shells), penne and fusilli are great if | | | | 12. Don't rinse your pasta. This washes away starches |
| you want your pasta to physically hold more sauce. | | | | and nutrients. DO rinse lasagna noodles (this keeps |
| 4. Don't mix more than one pasta shape in the same | | | | them from sticking together and tearing) or if using in |
| dish. | | | | cold pasta salads (coating of starch will be sticky |
| 5. Use a large enough pot so your pasta can cook | | | | when chilled) |
| without crowding. | | | | Follow these easy pasta tips and enjoy perfect pasta |
| Pasta needs lots of room to cook so a larger pot is | | | | every time. |
| better. | | | | Want to make your pasta healthier? Remember it's |
| 6. To cook pasta use lots of water, a spoonful of olive | | | | often the cheesy toppings and high carbohydrates that |
| oil and a little salt. Use one quart of water for each | | | | derail your healthy pasta dish. Focus on whole grain |
| 100g serving of pasta. | | | | pastas, less cheese and add veggies to your pasta |
| 7. Bring the water to a boil before adding pasta. Bring | | | | recipes. |
| back to a boil quickly by putting a lid on the pot. Once | | | | |