Kitchen Tip of the Week

Got sticky pasta?

Many people shy away from cooking pasta because too often the results are a gooey sticky mess. A long time ago I learned a tip about the secret to preventing pasta from sticking. And no, it's not about adding olive oil to the pasta water.

Two things are very important in making pasta. One is to salt the pasta water before putting the pasta in to be cooked. This thoroughly seasons the pasta while it's cooking. The second tip(and the one that prevents stickygooeyness) is to use a LOT of water. I mean a LOT!! A gallon per pound of pasta is the general rule. The third facet of pasta cooking is to heat the water to a "rolling boil."

There you have it! Well-cooked pasta. Buon appetito!

Bonus Tip: Don't throw away that pasta water. Use it in the sauce that you make. It adds a wonderful flavor and, as an added bonus, helps thicken the sauce just a bit.

Be well, eat well, love well & live long!