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| How to Make Al Dente Pasta Perfectly |
How to make Al Dente Pasta perfectly? This is one of the common queries people are looking for over the internet. Reason- we all love pasta, don't we? Well, for us it is a weekly ordeal. We prepare pasta either on Friday or Saturday nights. This is simply because that way we can relish the al dente pasta over the next two days :)
Pasta is arguably one of the most popular foods in the world and yet, it can be frustratingly difficult to get it right.
What is Al Dente Pasta?
In Italian, al dente describes pasta or rice that is cooked to be firm to the bite. Al Dente pasta is a perfect and delicious combination of texture and taste.
When you get a mouth-watering pasta with just the right amount of thick, juicy tomato sauce, there is nothing better, right? No, it is easy to go wrong as even the best pasta dish will go bad if you miss a basic trick! Sometimes it would stick, sometimes undercooked, sometimes too soft. Sometimes, the sauce seems too dry or slips completely and spreads in the bowl. Sounds familiar?
Fret not, pasta lovers as today I am going to share 7 secret tricks for that lip-smacking Al Dente Pasta!
Secret # 1: Use Loads of Water!
Start with plenty of cold water in a large saucepan. At least 4 liters per pound of pasta. Pasta needs a place to "float" in the water. Without enough water, the pasta will stay submerged, stick to other pasta pieces, and would not come out as per the desired softness.
Actually, during cooking, the pasta releases a starch, glue-like substance, and if it touches another piece, it literally binds to another piece. That's where those solidly fused ends come from! If you are using a saucepan and strainer combination, add more water so that the pasta is completely covered and has enough room to move around. Never break the strands. If they don't fit, simply use a larger pot.
Secret # 2: Water Must be Boiling!
This is a simple yet very important trick to make your al dente pasta perfectly. When in a hurry, we tend to open the pack of pasta and empty it directly in the cold water. This is a common mistake that people do quite often.
The water should be boiling at the time of adding pasta. If the pasta is added in lukewarm water, it will cook too slowly and the consistency will be poor. Use a tight-fitting lid to boil the pasta water quickly and efficiently.
Secret # 3: Add Salt in Boiling Water!
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| How to Make Al Dente Pasta Perfectly |
This may also sound like an ordinary trick. Yet, it is one of the secrets people miss out on and ruin their al dente pasta recipe. Remember - once the water boils, add about a tablespoon of salt. Do not add salt to cold water, otherwise, it will sink to the bottom. Salt does two things. One, it raises the temperature of the water. Second, it adds flavor to the pasta.
Secret # 4: Do Not Add Oil to Water!
You may have heard of adding oil to water to prevent the pasta from sticking? The theory sounds reasonable, but here are the problems with this approach. The oil sits on top of the pasta, so it can't prevent strands from sticking underwater.
Then, as the pasta drains, pasta becomes slippery because of the oil, and your sauce slips and drips to the bottom of the bowl. Good quality pasta has a light texture. This is important as the right texture would attract oil and sauce will cling on to it, making it yummier.
Secret # 5: Don't Be Afraid to Stir Your Al Dente Pasta!
People somehow are afraid to stir noodles or pasta while it boils. When you're cooking your pasta, you should not go around home doing something else. If you want to have al dente pasta, you should constantly remain in the kitchen.
Feel free to stir the pot well so that everything is below the water level and moves freely. Then stir gently every few minutes while cooking. This prevents it from settling to the bottom and sticking to the pan while cooking or attaching to other parts. (remember secret # 1?)
Secret # 6: Taste, Test, and Repeat!
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| How to Make Al Dente Pasta Perfectly |
After tossing the pasta, set the timer to the time indicated on the package. At the last minute, gently remove a piece of pasta, blow on it to cool down, and taste. It should be cooked, but still with a firm bite. If not right, try another piece after 30 seconds.
Repeat until you get the desired result. Keep your Al Dente Pasta sauce ready while the pasta is boiling. This is because pasta keeps on cooking even after you transfer it to the colander.
Secret # 7: Do Not Rinse the Pasta!
You would have watched videos or read that you should rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water in a colander. Well, I am asking you NOT to rinse your pasta but gently pour cold water to cool it down. When you drain the pasta, you can leave some starchy water on it. Don't wash it off! The starchy water makes the pasta and sauce stick together.
Please note that this cold water treatment suggestion applies only to Al Dente Pasta recipe. When making salad pasta, you should rinse in cool water, drain well, and then add a little salad dressing or olive oil to keep it from sticking together. For stuffed pasta and lasagna, rinse in cool running water until convenient to use. Drain well and rub gently with a little olive oil to make the pasta easier to process when assembling the dish.
Bonus Secret
Reserve a bit of the pasta water for velvety sauces! Just before draining, carefully remove a ½ cup or so of the starchy pasta water and set aside. This starchy liquid will help smooth out your sauces beautifully - it's an old Italian Nonna trick!
Once you have combined your pasta and sauce (best done right in the hot pot), add a splash of the reserved, starchy pasta water. The starch works to create a creamy, rich, smooth texture that makes the dish sing and dance! Balance the amount of sauce with the pasta for that perfect "mouth feel" (Al Dente Pasta)
Bon appetit!
Do let me know if these simple yet effective tips helped you make that perfect Pasta for the family and friends!
Till then, stay happy and safe!
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