Making pasta

Open discussion about any topic, as long as you abide by the rules of course!
glossy
Posts: 2285
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:00 am

Making pasta

Post by glossy »

So I made pasta for dinner (because that's all I can afford), but I forget -- what part of the process makes the pasta stick together (that is, what do you do to avoid or cause this?)

It's already made, i'm just curious :)
o'dium
Posts: 11712
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 8:00 am

Post by o'dium »

Think about it ;)
Don Carlos
Posts: 17514
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Post by Don Carlos »

salt
Where were you when the West was defeated?
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/doncarlos83][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/doncarlos83.gif[/img][/url]
o'dium
Posts: 11712
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 8:00 am

Post by o'dium »

The way you should do it is to measure one quater of water for every 4 ounces of dry pasta (This is how i go about it anyways). Bring your water to a fast boil, and then add it all at once. Remember to keep the heat high to get the water boiling again. Do this as quick as possible (so turn it full up for a bit). Cook the pasta with NO LID ON, otherwise it gets sloppy.

The reason why your pasta sticks together is because of the starch inside. You need REALLY HOT water to make the pasta set while cooking.

Sounds like your water isn't hot enough when you first put the pasta in ;)
glossy
Posts: 2285
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:00 am

Post by glossy »

Don Carlos wrote:salt
danke, thought so (it's second nature to just throw some in, now)

o'dium i know how to cook pasta :(
o'dium
Posts: 11712
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 8:00 am

Post by o'dium »

glossy wrote:
Don Carlos wrote:salt
danke, thought so (it's second nature to just throw some in, now)

o'dium i know how to cook pasta :(
Obviously not, otherwise it wouldn't be sticking together ;)

Salt is a bad idea because it makes the pasta more sloppy. Salt is only good for spaghetti etc, things that you "want" sloppy".
glossy
Posts: 2285
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:00 am

Post by glossy »

o'dium wrote:
glossy wrote:
Don Carlos wrote:salt
danke, thought so (it's second nature to just throw some in, now)

o'dium i know how to cook pasta :(
Obviously not, otherwise it wouldn't be sticking together ;)

Salt is a bad idea because it makes the pasta more sloppy. Salt is only good for spaghetti etc, things that you "want" sloppy".
it's not sticking together, i was just curious.

btw, it was also delicious. mmmm
Don Carlos
Posts: 17514
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Post by Don Carlos »

o'dium wrote:
glossy wrote:
Don Carlos wrote:salt
danke, thought so (it's second nature to just throw some in, now)

o'dium i know how to cook pasta :(
Obviously not, otherwise it wouldn't be sticking together ;)

Salt is a bad idea because it makes the pasta more sloppy. Salt is only good for spaghetti etc, things that you "want" sloppy".
negative
a small pinch of salt helps the water boil at a slightly higher
temp so the pasta cooks quicker whilst remaining firm unless
you leave it in too long ;)
Where were you when the West was defeated?
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/doncarlos83][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/doncarlos83.gif[/img][/url]
Denz
Posts: 2587
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2000 7:00 am

Post by Denz »

While still in the strainer, run cold water over the pasta very quickly, not to cool the pasta off, but this will wash away any unnecessary starch that has built up during cooking.
User avatar
seremtan
Posts: 36019
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:00 am

Post by seremtan »

o'dium wrote:
glossy wrote:
Don Carlos wrote:salt
danke, thought so (it's second nature to just throw some in, now)

o'dium i know how to cook pasta :(
Obviously not, otherwise it wouldn't be sticking together ;)

Salt is a bad idea because it makes the pasta more sloppy. Salt is only good for spaghetti etc, things that you "want" sloppy".
bollocks
saturn
Posts: 4334
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2000 8:00 am
Location: The Netherlands

Post by saturn »

you can also add a little bit of olive oil while it's cooking. My pasta never sticks, nubs.
fuck off sigs
[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/316626399_65f19bc409_t.jpg[/img]
bikkeldesnikkel
Posts: 1145
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:54 pm

Post by bikkeldesnikkel »

add a proper amount of salt (not just a pinch, i usally add 3 chugs) and cook the water before you throw in the pasta. doesnt matter what pasta odium it all works the same, its only the timing that differs.
Don Carlos
Posts: 17514
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Post by Don Carlos »

it also helps strip the starch from the pasta as well ;)
Where were you when the West was defeated?
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/doncarlos83][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/doncarlos83.gif[/img][/url]
glossy
Posts: 2285
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:00 am

Post by glossy »

saturn wrote:you can also add a little bit of olive oil while it's cooking. My pasta never sticks, nubs.
We do that at work (I'm kitchenhand at an italian restaurant), but I dislike oily pasta.
Guest

Post by Guest »

salt? Strange I've always added a little butter. Some while the water boils and then a little more after I drain the water out, mix it in the pasta and voila, instant non stick pasta plus it tastes better imho.
Grudge
Posts: 8587
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 8:00 am

Post by Grudge »

Without salt the pasta won't have any taste.

Only over cooked pasta sticks. Make it al dente, and it will not stick.
Guest

Post by Guest »

I've never added salt to my pasta and find it tastes fine. I tend to buy stuff like Sundried tomato pasta though.
User avatar
plained
Posts: 16366
Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2002 7:00 am

Post by plained »

mabe it was a touch overdone glossy.

sometimes stuff continues to cook after you take it off and drain it even or perhaps put into a heated serving bowl or what have you.

maybe knock a couple mins of the time and see if its more to your liking

heh
Ryoki
Posts: 13460
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 7:00 am

Post by Ryoki »

Or put in a few drops of olive oil and stir.
[size=85][color=#0080BF]io chiamo pinguini![/color][/size]
User avatar
plained
Posts: 16366
Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2002 7:00 am

Post by plained »

or maybe stir and add a few drops of olive oil

ey? hehe
it is about time!
bikkeldesnikkel
Posts: 1145
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:54 pm

Post by bikkeldesnikkel »

salt is all you need bitches, it's the italian way. so fuck off
Pext
Posts: 4257
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:00 am

Post by Pext »

o'dium wrote:The way you should do it is to measure one quater of water for every 4 ounces of dry pasta (This is how i go about it anyways). Bring your water to a fast boil, and then add it all at once. Remember to keep the heat high to get the water boiling again. Do this as quick as possible (so turn it full up for a bit). Cook the pasta with NO LID ON, otherwise it gets sloppy.

The reason why your pasta sticks together is because of the starch inside. You need REALLY HOT water to make the pasta set while cooking.

Sounds like your water isn't hot enough when you first put the pasta in ;)
lol... writing a 75 page manual for cooking pasta. i like how you made your description look like some action flick, using words like 'fast' and 'quick'

here's the deal:

- get your water boiling. it does not matter how much water you take as long as it's enough
- add much salt and throw in the noodles
- wait about 8 minutes, stir occasionally
- outpour the water

- add olive oil to keep the noodles from bapping together!
Canis
Posts: 3798
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2001 8:00 am

Post by Canis »

Flour, Eggs, Oil....mix, roll, cut, dry, boil, serve.
glossy
Posts: 2285
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:00 am

Post by glossy »

it's not rocket science, guys.

"pasta goes in boiling water w/ salt for 8 minutes"

i don't usually go with oil, just on personal preference
Canis
Posts: 3798
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2001 8:00 am

Post by Canis »

Depends on the thickness of the pasta...4-5 mins for angel-hair, 8-12 minutes for spaghetti, etc.
Post Reply