How to Properly Boil Pasta…

To properly boil 500g of pasta you want to start by filling a pot of water with 6 quarts of water. Bring to a boil with a lid on the pot. Without enough water the pasta will not be able to move, the pasta will stick together and not cook fully. The lid will trap the heat and retain the evaporating water.

Once the water is at a boil you may add your salt. (Do not salt your water before it is at a boil, it will cause the bottom of your pot to pit). Do not skimp on the salt as it will help flavor your pasta, as I mentioned in the blog How to Salt Your Food for Maximum Flavor your pasta water should be as salty as the sea. The coarse sea salt is perfect for boiling pasta water.

I like to cook my pasta as directed on the packet but I will taste a noodle about a minute before the timer goes off, as well as one at the timer, and decide if it is al dente or if it may need an extra minute. Once I become familiar with the brand and cut of noodles, I can determine the proper cooking time

I always like to reserve a bit of pasta water to add into my sauce if it needs a little extra seasoning or thinned out.

Al Dente- tender to the tooth