2007-02-22 02:13:03 · 16 answers · asked by Chris M 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
It has been proven on many a cooking show that adding olive oil to the water DOES NOT prevent pasta from sticking it has a small impact on the about of "foam" that forms from the starch in the water. The best way to make sure that pasta of any kind does not stick is lots of water in a large pot(relative to the amount of pasta you are cooking, in general 5 quarts for a pound). Rolling Boil and stir constantly for the first minute. This will ensure that the starch is released from the pasta rather tahn sticking to the pasta which causes the other pieces to stick together.
2007-02-22 02:23:43 · answer #1 · answered by a_talis_man 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Add salt, but not oil according to most chefs.
You may have heard that you can avoid sticky pasta by adding oil to the pasta water. This will help prevent sticking, but at a great price. Pasta that's cooked in oily water will become oily itself and, as a result, the sauce slides off, doesn't get absorbed, and you have flavorless pasta.
Adding oil may keep the pasta water from bubbling up and boiling over the rim, but this can also be achieved by making sure you use a large pot and also by reducing the heat a little (but still maintaining a boil). This is a much better solution than greasing your pasta and sacrificing flavor.
Salted water flavors the pasta. A generous amount of salt in the water seasons the pasta internally as it absorbs liquid and swells. The pasta dish may even require less salt overall. For a more complex, interesting flavor, I add 1 to 2 tablespoons sea salt to a large pot of rapidly boiling water.
2007-02-22 02:27:45 · answer #2 · answered by cat m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add a little oil or butter to the water as you are cooking. When you are finished cooking, make sure to rinse in COLD water until the pasta is cool. The starch is what causes it to stick together and if you get it all rinsed off, your pasta won't stick.
2007-02-22 02:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by mark my words 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your water is salted and it is at a rolling boil before you add your pasta to the water. I wouldn't recommend putting any kind of oil or rinsing your pasta if you are going to use sauce. The sauce will not stick to the pasta.
2007-02-22 02:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by Spirish_1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember The larger the pot the less of a chance for the pasta to stick. Make sure water is at rapid boil and add salt along with pasta. After all you are salting the pasta not the pot. Make sure you stir it immediately. after you put in pot.
2007-02-22 02:25:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put any oil in just make sure you have a pan big enough for the pasta to boil in.
2007-02-22 02:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by Hove Andrew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add a teensy bit of oil (just a teensy bit, like a teaspoon, no more than that and it won't effect the pasta) to the water. PLUS you have to stir it once in a while.
2007-02-22 02:19:50 · answer #7 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup. I pour a little vegetable oil in the pan when it starts boiling, and some salt. It never sticks together.
2007-02-22 02:21:24 · answer #8 · answered by Bud's Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add about 1/4 cup of olive oil to the cooking water. :o)
2007-02-22 02:16:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Add a little cooking oil to the water
2007-02-22 02:16:06 · answer #10 · answered by Gerry 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋