Cooking perfect pasta is a skill that every home cook has the ability to master. Some may say that a watched pot never boils, but keeping a careful eye on your pasta is the key to getting it right every time.
Start out by filling your pot with fresh, cold water. While it may be tempting to turn the faucet onto hot to save a few minutes of boiling time, the flavor of your pasta could suffer as a result. Hot water pipes often contain a higher load of minerals which can add strange aromas or flavors to your food. As a rule, you should always cook with cold water.
Make sure you are using a good sized pot to boil your pasta. For example, one pound of spaghetti should be cooked in at least a 4 quart pot. Next, season the water with salt. Adding just the right amount of salt to your water will enhance the flavor of your pasta. Use just enough salt to flavor the water, as you would a soup broth. Start with a sprinkle, taste, and go from there. After a few pots of perfect pasta you’ll know just how much salt to add.
Although many cooks add oil to the water, it is actually an unnecessary step, not to mention a waste of oil. As long as the pasta is stirred quickly after being dropped into the pot it should not stick together.
Now that your pot is filled with salted water, place it onto the stove top, covered, over high heat until it reaches a full, rolling boil. Be patient, and resist the temptation to toss your pasta in while the water is still simmering. When the water has reached a full boil, drop your pasta into the pot, and allow it to sink in under its own weight. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir the pasta to make sure it doesn’t stick together.
Now, set the timer to one or two minutes less than the box directs. When the timer goes off, you can begin checking to see if it is done. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove one piece of pasta every 30 seconds or so. Cool it with cold water from the faucet and give it a taste. Al dente pasta will be slightly firm and chewy, but fully cooked. If you prefer a softer noodle, just continue cooking it until it suits your taste. When the pasta has finished cooking you should immediately strain it from the water. Rinse with cold water to stop it from cooking further. If you are serving the pasta immediately, get to it. Holding the it too long can cause it to get stuck together. If you need to hold the pasta until later, toss it with a little olive oil or butter to keep it slick. You can reheat it in boiling water for a minute or so before serving.
Have any more tips for making perfect pasta? My Mom tosses it at the wall, and I know she’s not the only one. Come on people, give it to me straight.