Food Works How to Cook Pasta - Pasta

Method

• Read the package directions for guidelines before beginning.
• Bring 16 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water, breaking spaghetti in half, if desired.
• Make sure all pasta is covered with water.
• Add more tap water if needed.
• Keep boiling on medium-high heat.
• Lid or spoon optional.
• Stir every few minutes so noodles don't stick to the bottom.
• To check doneness, pull out a noodle with your spoon, let it cool, then eat it.
• Noodles are done when they are "el dente", which is chewy, but not crunchy or mushy.
• Once pasta is done, add a cup of very cold water to the pot (optional) to stop cooking.
• Put a strainer in the sink.
• Carry your pot with oven mitts, and pour contents away from you into the strainer so that steam doesn't come up in your face.
• Don't run cold water over noodles, as pasta sauce won't stick to it.
• If your pasta gets stuck together before you serve it, run hot water through the strainer to un-stick.