Pasta Al Dente 🍝

📍 Introduction Pasta cooked to perfection is heavenly. Having just the right amount of texture and bite is possible with a few easy steps. 🧂 Ingredients & Equipment: * Dried pasta * Colander or strainer ✔️ Instructions: * Boil water in a large pot. Leave enough room to avoid overflow * Season water & add pasta * Set a timer to 3 minutes less than indicated on the box * Taste by using a slotted spoon and cooling the pasta with tap water. Al dente will feel chewy and firm. * Drain. Serve with sauce/toppings. Enjoy! 📝 Notes, Tips, Tricks * If you plan to cook the pasta further with a sauce, remove ~2-3 minutes earlier * A single serving is 2 oz or ½ cup dried. This is ~200 calories. For 4-6 people use one pound (a standard box or bag) worth ~1600 calories. * If storing, toss with a little olive oil to reduce sticking. Reheat in microwave for ~1 min, or by blanching in hot water * If mixing with a sauce, reserve ~ 1 cup of cooking water. It can be used to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor * Remember - you can always cook pasta longer, but you can’t uncook it. If you need to cook it longer, add some liquid back in. 📓 Pasta Add-Ins Reference Guide * Sauce: tomato/marinara, bolognese, cream, cheese, pesto, olive oil, butter, lemon * Cheese: parmesan, ricotta salata, pecorino romano, feta, ricotta * Cooked vegetables: practically anything * Nuts: Pine nuts, chopped walnuts/almonds * Herbs/Aromatics: Garlic, basil, oregano, chives, thyme, parsley * Spices: Red pepper flakes, nutmeg, black pepper * Crunch: Breadcrumbs or smashed croutons * Leftovers (e.g., chicken, sausage, beans, vegetables) 🎓 Further Studies: * 9 ways you’re cooking pasta all wrong * Tips for storing cooked pasta * If You Want Perfect Pasta, "Al Dente" Is Actually Overcooked * 68 sauces that aren’t marinara 👉 Next Lesson: 06: How to Boil Vegetables This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.trylifeschool.com