Pasta is one of the bases of the Mediterranean diet and is considered one of the most balanced and healthy foods . In Spain, we are large consumers of pasta, since it is estimated that the usual consumption of this food per person amounts to more than 4 kilos a year, according to the Report on Food Consumption in Spain 2019 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Preparing recipes with pasta is something quite simple, and they are also highly demanded by the little ones. But, as with almost all recipes, it is necessary to know the proper techniques and the best tricks to get a perfect dish, such as the serving of pasta per person .
Discover the six most effective tips to know how to cook pasta and the mistakes you should never make . Take note of all of them and keep them in mind the next time you go to prepare pasta, you will see the difference and your family or your guests will appreciate it.
Tricks to boil the pasta and make it perfect
We all think that preparing an Italian pasta recipe everyone knows how to do, but it is not the same to cook pasta well, than to make it anyway and trust that it turns out well. If you want to know how to cook pasta so that it is perfect, keep reading these tips.
- Make sure the water is boiling
It is important to wait until the water is simmering before adding the pasta. Otherwise, it is easy for the pasta to stick and not be loose, even if you have had it cooking for the time indicated by the manufacturer.
- Cook the pasta with enough space
If we add a lot of pasta and the pot is small, the pasta will not cook properly. Keep in mind that wheat semolina pasta becomes very large during cooking. Also, if the paste is too tight, it will stick. Remember, use large pots and calculate the portion of pasta per person very well .
- Add salt to the pasta
Before putting the pasta in the saucepan with boiling water, you must add a pinch of salt. The recommended thing is 10 g for each liter of water, so the pasta will be well seasoned and will not be soda. If you don’t, even if the sauce is tasty, the dish could be flat and bland.
- Don’t skimp on the pasta
Italian pasta is usually a cheap product and is very popular. The portion of pasta per usual person is about 80 g dry, for this reason, there is little saving that can be achieved by buying white brand or lower quality pasta.
If you want to get a good pasta dish, choose a good brand you trust, even if it is somewhat more expensive, the difference will show in your recipes.
- Avoid cooling the pasta under the tap
When you finish cooking the pasta, drain well and mix it with the sauce, which will already be prepared, letting it cook all together for a few minutes. The sauce should always wait for the pasta, so prepare it first and you won’t have to cool it with water so it doesn’t get sticky.
In this way, the flavors will be integrated and the result will be optimal . Also, if you cool the pasta with cold water it will lose some of the starch and it will not be silky and with that pleasant texture. You know, always cook the sauce first.
- Take advantage of the cooking water
You may not have thought about it, but the water in which we cook the pasta contains salt and all the flavor, so it is perfect to improve the sauces of your recipes for macaroni, spaghetti, noodles …, giving them a velvety texture.
Therefore, when you are preparing the sauce you can add a saucepan of the cooking water for the pasta . To finish cooking the pasta in the sauce, you will have to remove it from the saucepan a little before it is al dente and let it finish cooking with the sauce.
How to cook pasta in the microwave
You can also cook pasta in Thermomix, it will be just as perfect, or in the microwave if you follow the following recipe, so don’t miss it.
Ingredients for 1 serving:
- 50 g pasta
- 1 teaspoon parmesan cheese, grated or powdered
- 1 teaspoon of butter
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 pinch of salt
- Ham, bacon or vegetables to taste
- Water
preparation:
- Place the pasta in a microwave-safe container, pour water until it is completely covered and add a pinch of salt.
- Microwave the pasta for five minutesuntil the water boils. Put a plate underneath in case the water overflows.
- Check that the pasta is al dente and if it is still very hard, reheat it for another minute or two.
- Strain the pasta and let it drain completely.
- Put the cooked pasta in an empty and dry container together with the butter, cheese, onion and garlic powder. Stir well and microwave for about 35 seconds.
- Take out of the appliance and add the ham, bacon or vegetables you have chosen.
How to cook pasta in Thermomix
Ingredients to cook pasta in thermomix:
- 750 ml of water
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 250 g of pasta (calculate each serving of pasta per person)
How to cook pasta in Thermomix:
- Pour the water with the salt and the oil into the glass, program 7 minutes at 100º and speed 1.
- Next, add the pasta through the mouth of the Thermomix beaker and set the time indicated on the package, at 100º and spoon speed.
- Finally, drain using the basket or the varoma containerand you will have the pasta ready to mix with the chosen accompaniment. Enjoy your meal!
