Let Me Share a Few Pasta Tips With You
By now you all know I’m Italian and grew up enjoying various types of pasta and pasta sauce. It was a go-to lunch or dinner dish with sauces as individual as the cook preparing them. As children, we enjoyed spaghetti and butter topped with parsley flakes and parmesan cheese. Mom, Dad, and the Grandparents could always count on us to clean our plates. Is there a science to cooking pasta? There may be, but I’m sharing culinary tips passed down to me.
Tips
Before we get to the tips, you should know that after my great-grandparents arrived in America the generations after adopted what may be considered “American” pasta cooking traits. Is there anything wrong with this? Not at all! Because some of the authentic traits remained.
Here are tips and interesting information:
- The longer and thinner your pasta the thinner the sauce should be. Unless you’re like me and enjoy hearty and meaty sauce 🙂
- Pasta is made with flour and water.
- Pasta should be prepared Al Dente, slightly chewy and definitely not mushy!
- Pasta should be made in water that is boiling to prevent sticking. The boiling water keeps the pasta moving and thus preventing sticking.
- You should always have a sufficient amount of water in a large pot.
- Once the pasta water begins to boil add salt to the water. It is the only time you can salt the pasta.
- If your pasta water begins to bubble over, lay a wooden spoon across the top of your pot.
- Purchase pasta in boxes without windows to prevent nutrient losses.
- Use a colander to drain off water.
- Layer the pasta, sauce, and cheese. One of my grandmothers taught me this and allows an even distribution or mixing of the pasta, sauce, and cheese.
- It’s always good to warm the pasta bowl before adding pasta, sauce, and cheese.
- The only time your rinse your pasta with water is if you are preparing a pasta salad.
Where Can you find pasta recipes?
Is there a science to cooking pasta? I’m not sure, but I hope these tips and information help you to become pasta-making pro’s!
2 Responses
CARLA, I am so happy to see you sharing stories from previous generations. This is a great way to save some of their stories.
Thank You, Marge!
I love my heritage and memories of my very Italian family!