Helpful Pasta Tips

Tips on Cooking Fresh Pasta

Fresh pasta should always be cooked in a large quantity of salted, boiling water. Pasta is best as soon as it is cooked, so try to avoid preparing it in advance of your meal. Once the water is rapidly boiling, add the pasta all at once. Partially cover the pot and continue to boil rapidly, stirring often. Start testing fresh pasta for doneness after about 30 seconds. The pasta is done when it is al dente (tender but firm) — it shouldn’t taste floury and it should be slightly firm. Once the pasta is done, empty the pot in a colander and quickly toss pasta to rid it of as much water as possible. Rinse the pasta only if it is going to be baked or cooled for a salad.

Tips on Eating Pasta

• One pound dried pasta equals about 1-1/4 pounds fresh. This should serve about 6-8 people as a first course or 4-5 as a main course.
• Serve the pasta in warmed bowls
• Eat long pastas gracefully with a fork and by taking up only a few strands a time; brace the fork on the inside rim of your pasta bowl and twirl until the strands wrap around it.
• Leftover pasta can be very good when reheated with a little olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

– Glutenfreeda