How to cook pasta
When you plan to cook pasta, make sure you do it the right way, so you don’t end up with a sticky, starchy mess. Here is how to do it.
1. Always cook pasta in a large saucepan with plenty of water (one litre for every 100g of pasta).
2. Add salt to the water when it comes to the boil (10g salt for every litre of water). Drop in the pasta when the water is boiling.
3. Stir with a wooden spoon right after adding the pasta to the water, because this will stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan. Optional - add a tablespoon or two of your favorite oil, to prevent it from sticking.
5. Cook over a medium heat without a lid, and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over.
6. Drain the pasta when it is “al dente” (firm to the bite).
Never leave the pasta sitting in the warm water as it will continue to cook. Drain thoroughly it transferring straight to the pasta plates, and save some of the cooking water if it has to be tossed in a pan or mixed with the sauce in a serving bowl. The cooking water is very useful for diluting a sauce which is too thick.
Finally, let your own tastes and instincts guide you for how long you cook your pasta.
