How To Cook Pasta So That They Do Not Stick Together + Photos And Videos

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Life hacks for pasta: how to cook correctly and what to do so that they do not stick together

A rich assortment of pasta has long won the hearts of people around the world who prefer to savor the exquisite taste of a variety of dishes prepared from them. However, not everyone knows that cooking pasta involves observing certain rules. Treating this product exclusively as a side dish, our grandfathers and grandmothers did not particularly stand on ceremony in the process of their preparation, thoroughly washing the sticky cooked flour products with water. While the correct preparation of pasta requires an individual approach to all varieties of this product, decorating the windows of most stores.

Content

• 1 Why do they stick together

  • 1.1 How long will it take
  • 1.2 Flush or not flush?
  • 1.3 How to check the readiness

• 2 How to cook pasta correctly

  • 2.1 Master class on cooking pasta from the chef Ilya Lazerson - video
  • 2.2 Spaghetti with chili, sardines and oregano from Gordon Ramsay - video

• 3 The secret to making soft wheat pasta without sticking

  3.1 How to cook pasta from soft wheat - video

• 4 Some tips from the forums

Why do they stick together

Currently, there are more than seven hundred types of pasta, but there is no universal recipe for their preparation. Many people who cook them on their own often encounter these foods sticking together during cooking. But why is this happening?

Each type of pasta has individual cooking characteristics

According to experts, adhesion directly depends on the quality of the products themselves, which can be made from flour of various varieties. Before buying, you can independently verify which group the selected pasta belongs to by carefully reading the information indicated on the pack:

• Group A includes spaghetti and pasta made exclusively from durum wheat.

  

  Group A pasta is of the highest quality and does not boil over

• Group B includes products made from soft and glassy wheat.

  

  Group B pasta is rich in variety

• Group B - pasta made from bakery wheat flour.

  

  Group B pasta has a lower quality level and a lower price

As a rule, pasta made from durum wheat sticks together much less than similar products made from other varieties of flour. Violation of elementary cooking rules most often leads to gluing during cooking. The first thing you should pay close attention to is the amount of water indicated in the recipe. If the liquid is less than the specified proportions, the products will emit too much starch, which contributes to the appearance of a paste in the pan. Under such conditions, the horns or spaghetti will not only stick together, but also stick to the bottom and sides of the dishes, burning and forming an excessive amount of foam.

Overcooked pasta looks unappetizing

Stir while cooking. If this is neglected, then the products can also stick together, turning from an appetizing dish into an inedible flour mass.

How long will it take

It is equally important to consider the duration of preparation of the product. If you digest pasta, they not only lose their elasticity and firmness, but also lose a number of taste. Traditionally, the cooking time of these products depends on the components that make up their composition. For example, spaghetti made from hard varieties, even with prolonged cooking, keep their shape perfectly, and five minutes will be enough to prepare fresh homemade egg noodles. Traditionally, horns and bows take longer to cook than regular vermicelli. You can find the recommended cooking times on the packaging of this product.

Rinse or not rinse?

There is an opinion that the pasta must be washed after cooking. In fact, it is sometimes recommended to skip this step. The reason is that the water rinses off the starch necessary for better absorption of the sauce, which gives the food a richer flavor. After the completion of the cooking process, it is enough to throw them in a colander and let the broth drain. So that the cooked pasta does not turn into one big lump, it is recommended to put a piece of butter in them, regardless of what kind of wheat they are made of.

Dropping the pasta into a colander removes excess liquid

However, there are varieties that require rinsing after cooking. These include lagman noodles, which are widely used in Asian dishes.

Lagman noodles require rinsing after boiling.

But since there is no definite answer to the question of whether it is worth rinsing pasta, each housewife has the right to independently decide what to do with them after the end of cooking.

How to check the degree of readiness

Usually the degree of readiness is checked by testing. Depending on personal preference, you can cook the pasta al dente, which leaves the pasta slightly undercooked and more firm. Or boil them to a softer state.

If for some reason you don't want to taste pasta while cooking, just place a few pasta on a clean, dry plate. If they stick to it, then the product can be considered finished. By giving preference to quality products, you will insure yourself against disappointments during their preparation.

The degree of readiness can always be determined by trial

How to cook pasta correctly

1. Take a spacious saucepan at the rate of 1 liter of water per 100 g of products. It should be remembered that during the cooking process, pasta tends to double.

   

   There are special pans for cooking pasta

2. Pour the required amount of water into a saucepan, and close it with a lid, put it on fire, waiting for it to boil.
3. You can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the water to prevent sticking and improve the taste of the dish.
4. Then put salt in boiled water, at the rate of approximately 8 g per 1 liter of liquid.
5. Dip the pasta into boiling water and, stirring gently, wait for the water to boil again. If you need to boil the spaghetti, make sure that the edges are also submerged in the water and not sticking out of the pan.
6. Reduce heat and continue stirring gently, observing the exact amount of cooking time indicated on their packaging.
7. Taste the product, when you think the dish is ready, remove the pot from the stove and place its contents in a colander, draining the broth.
8. Transfer the already cooked pasta back to the pot or any other container, and add a lump of butter to it. In some cases, butter can be substituted for sauces or any other dressing.

Master class on cooking pasta from chef Ilya Lazerson - video

Spaghetti with chili, sardines and oregano by Gordon Ramsay - video

The secret to making soft wheat pasta without sticking

If for some reason you prefer to buy cheaper pasta made from soft wheat, you can also insure yourself against sticking by using the following method:

1. Use a suitable sized skillet. It must be dry.

2. Place the pasta on it and fry for one minute. This will allow the starch in the product to crystallize, making the pasta more crumbly.

   

   Frying pasta before cooking

3. Then pour boiling water over the fried pasta so that the water completely covers them.

   Cook pasta for 3-5 minutes, until the liquid is not completely boiled away.

4. After the cooking process is complete, discard the pasta in a colander and add a piece of butter.

How to cook soft wheat pasta - video

Some tips from the forums

By following these guidelines, you will be able to cook the pasta the right way, while avoiding unwanted clumping. Compliance with the rules of cooking pasta will preserve the taste of these products, as well as please your guests with exquisite Italian cuisine with an impeccable appearance.