DISH NAME : HOW TO COOK DRIED PASTA

Preparation Time : 10 minutes

Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Description

Pasta, the staple dish of Italy, may be divided into two broad categories, dried (pasta secca) and fresh (pasta fresca). Pasta is made from an unleavened dough of durum wheat flour mixed with water and formed into sheets or various shapes. It can be made with flour from other cereals or grains, and eggs may be used instead of water.

Note

1) Keep the sauce ready and keep on a very low heat, before starting to cook pasta. This way pasta can be dumped into sauce immediately after cooking.
2) Check whether the boiling water is salty enough before adding pasta.

Method

1) Fill a pot with water with salt and bring to a boil.
2) Add pasta to the boiling water and keep stirring to prevent sticking.
3) Let the water come to a boil again. Cook the pasta uncovered.
4) About a minute earlier than the package instruction says, start checking the pasta for doneness. Remove a piece of pasta and when cool bite to test if its cooked. Also you can cut the piece in half and see if the middle of the pasta looks raw. If it looks raw, cook for a minute more, then check again. Pasta should not be over cooked.
5) When pasta is done, reserve a cup of water in which pasta has been cooked. This water can be used in sauce if required. Then drain into a colander.
6) Drain pasta and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
7) If the pasta is being cooked for use in a salad, then drain pasta, rinse with cold water and drain well.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot after mixing with the required sauce