How to cook pasta correctly and tasty

Pasta is a simple and uncomplicated dish that anyone, even a child, can cook. But even cooking pasta has its own characteristics and nuances. How to cook pasta so that it is tasty, not boiled or sticky, we will tell you in this article. And we’ll start with how to choose delicious pasta.

How to choose delicious pasta

In order to get a delicious dish for lunch or dinner, first of all, you need to choose the right pasta. There is a huge selection on store shelves. A variety of forms, a variety of companies, there are even different colors with the addition of tomatoes, spinach, carrots and buckwheat flour. Today we are talking about classic pasta made from wheat flour.

When buying pasta in a store, of course, pay attention to the expiration date, although it is large, it is still available. Then check the packaging for integrity and evaluate the appearance of the pasta. The packaging should not contain small crumbs, the pasta should be even without chips and cracks, since many manufacturers pack pasta in transparent bags or in packaging with a transparent window.

Good pasta suitable for dietary nutrition is made from durum wheat. The manufacturer will proudly write about this on the packaging as part of the product. But it also happens that the composition contains durum flour, but the pasta is still boiled during cooking. To avoid being cheated and in such a situation, pay attention to the amount of protein. Experience suggests that those pasta containing 12 or more units of protein keep their shape well, do not stick together and turn out to be tasty, compared to those with less protein. Pasta with a protein content of 10 or less is more likely to be unpalatable and sticky.

How long water is needed for cooking pasta

To make the pasta tasty, elastic and beautiful, you need to cook them in a large volume of water, which requires a rather large saucepan. The formula for calculating products is simple – 100: 1000: 10. This is the proportion of pasta weight, water volume and salt weight. That is, for every 100 grams of dry pasta, you need to take a liter of water, salt, of course, add everything to taste, 10 grams is not an axiom.

How to cook pasta correctly

It is important to remember that in order to cook pasta, you will need a large saucepan. Salt, of course, you can add to taste, but do not reduce the amount of water, the pasta in the pan should be free. Pasta is a product that perfectly absorbs aromas, tastes and smells, so it is better to filter or use bottled water before cooking.

Rinse or not? The issue is controversial. Washed pasta for salads or for subsequent frying. But we do not recommend frying pasta after boiling – this is oil and extra calories.

What water to put pasta in for cooking

The cooking process begins after the water boils when you add the pasta to the water. Stir gently after pouring out the pasta. If you are cooking spaghetti or linguini, do not break them, lower them in the pan as a whole, they will sink to the bottom during the cooking process. Only necessarily in boiling water. Pasta is boiled in boiling water, so if you reduce the heat, then quite a bit.

How long does it take to cook pasta

The cooking time for pasta depends on its shape, size and the dish being cooked. The cooking time for pasta, as a rule, is indicated on the package, and in two versions: al dente (on the tooth) and until complete readiness… It’s a matter of taste. Al dente pasta is complemented with sauces, from which they can draw moisture, and until cooked through, they cook pasta for serving with cheese. For those who adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, we recommend not to overcook pasta too much, after all, al dente pasta contains more useful substances, they turn out to be more satisfying and you will eat less of them.

How to find out whether pasta is cooked or not

How to check the pasta for readiness? Very simple. You can do this with a fork directly in the saucepan. Just take out one piece and break it in half with a fork – if the pasta is still hard and won’t break, then you need to cook a little more. The finished pasta must be thrown into a colander and allowed to drain.

What to do to prevent pasta from sticking together

After cooking, the pasta must be thrown into a colander, rinsed only if the finished pasta was intended for salad. After draining the water, return the pasta to the saucepan and add oil – olive, sunflower, or butter, to taste. Shake the pan well, after closing the lid tightly. Ideal pasta serving – immediately after cooking, if this does not work out, after 8-10 minutes, shake the pasta pan again to precisely avoid sticking.

Properly cooked pasta will never harm your figure, of course, if they are not eaten in kilograms.

How to cook delicious pasta

Let’s sum it up to remember:

1. The best pasta is made from durum wheat, so they keep their shape well and you need to make some effort to make the finished pasta stick together.
2. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pasta perfectly absorbs the taste of the water in which it is boiled, so it makes sense to use water from a bottle or filtered water for cooking.

A few tricks for housewives to note

1. The water left over from cooking pasta can be used to make pasta sauces. Starch in water acts as an excellent thickening agent and sauces prepared on the basis of such water perfectly give pasta moisture.
2. When boiling pasta, do not cover the pan with a lid, there is a high probability that the foam will rise and spill onto the stove, in addition, the pasta can stick together.
3. Serve pasta and sauces to enhance and complement the flavor of the dish. Hard cheeses, tomatoes, herbs, meat and seafood are perfectly combined with pasta.
4. Why do you think there are so many forms of pasta: spirals, feathers, bows, spaghetti … This is because in Italy, the homeland of pasta, each form means serving with a certain sauce. For example, carbonara paste is made from spaghetti, bows are served with mushroom sauces, and so on, but this is a topic for a separate article.

Pasta on a diet

Despite the fact that the calorie content of dry macaroni is 320-350 kcal, 100 grams of boiled pasta contains just over 100 kcal. Pasta made from durum wheat can be safely consumed on a dietary diet, the only thing that you need to be careful with high-calorie sauces. It is better to cook them at home on your own, rather than pouring ketchup and mayonnaise on the pasta. Well, as with all foods on the right diet, measure is important in everything. Avoid eating a high-carb meal for dinner or eating pasta in the pounds.