There is nothing more satisfying than a bowl of creamy pasta.
Coupled with savoury sauces, decadent ingredients and aromatic spices, pasta is a meal in itself, replete in all the essential nutrients. Here’s how one can make pasta.
1. Preparing
The first step in cooking pasta is gathering all the ingredients needed. Before you decide on the recipe, you need to familiarize yourself on the type of pasta that you want to cook. Although termed generally, pasta has more than 50 different varieties in myriad shapes, sizes and ingredients. Some are made of whole wheat, while some are made of semolina and white flour. Choosing the right kind of pasta is extremely important, as your choice can make or break the dish. The most popular ones in vogue are fusili, spaghetti, macaroni, farfalle, ravioli, penne, fettuccine, linguine and lasagne.
2. Boiling
Having selected the correct type, you need to soften it. To boil the pasta al dente you should follow these steps.
a. Step One
Fill up 2/3rd of a large vessel with water. Take care that you don’t over-fill the container, as it will spill during boiling. Very little water will make the pasta sticky. Maintaining a decent water-pasta ratio will help it cook properly.
b. Step Two
Place the container on the stove and turn the flame on high. Add a pinch of salt to the water and wait for it to boil.
c. Step Three
As the surface begins to bubble away rapidly, turn down the heat and add the pasta to the boiling water. Make sure that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir continuously for the first 30 seconds, then cover the pan and let it simmer in the heat for a while.
d. Step Four
The pasta will absorb the hot water to become tender and grow in size. The time involved in soaking it, is subjective to personal tastes. Some like their pasta undercooked, while many prefer it al dente.
e. Step Five
After it has become tender enough, turn the flame off. Use a large strainer to drain the water away. Run cold water over the boiled pasta to refresh the surface and seal-in the heat. Keep it aside to drain the excess water off. Drizzle some olive oil and toss it well, to keep the surface moist.
3. Cooking
Having boiled the pasta, you need to determine the way you want to use it. While some prepare elaborate sauces with flavoursome ingredients, others simply toss them in salads with crunchy vegetables. There are numerous recipes available online to help you make a delicious meal out of boiled pasta. Select one that you like and cook the pasta accordingly. Garnish with fresh herbs, grated cheese or dried spices.
A bowl of pasta is not only made easily with minimal ingredients, but is also a nutritious alternative to a full-fledged meal. By following the suggested steps, you can make pasta with ease.
