Tips on How to Cook Pasta

Pasta is a favorite all around the world. It comes in different shapes and lengths, everything that to suit the occasion or your own preferences. Cooking pasta is easy to do, but always be careful to get the best results.

Fill a pot with water. Pasta should be cooked in a lot of water. Set it to boil to cook the pasta. After the water begins boiling, add salt. It will take longer since salty water usually boils at a higher temperature. The salt that you will add will depends on your personal taste. Never forget to add salt, remember, Italians never forget this. Once the water starts to boil slowly add the pasta.

The pasta will start to soften in a few seconds. Use a long fork to push the pasta into the water. Make sure that it is fully submerged. At this time the water temperature has fallen.

Cover the pot with a lid and quickly boil the water again. It is important that the pot is covered since it boils fast. Do this to prevent the water from splashing out. Never leave the pot unattended, the splashing of water can douse out the gas and possibly start a fire.

Then continue cooking the pasta, this time uncovered. Stir with a long fork to separate each and every piece of pasta.

When it comes to how long the cooking time will be, read the manufacturers instructions, but to make sure, the best thing to do is to test a piece. The Italian expression, al dente, refers to the proper cooking of pasta or when it is soft yet still firm and not overcooked.

If you notice dots or thin white lines in the middle of the pasta, then it isn’t done yet, just test from time to time until the broken piece turns to a translucent yellow.

If the texture is translucent yellow, you can drain using a colander but make sure that it is in a secure position

Stop the cooking process by pouring cold tap water over it; remember that the pasta is continuously cooking even after it’s drained, this way it won’t be served extremely hot. But be careful not to overdo it, remember that you aren’t washing the pasta.

Gently shake the colander to drain the pasta. Lastly, you can now put the pasta in a bowl and serve. Put on the sauce, dressing or cheese, and enjoy.