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Pasta water and al dente
Beginner Vegetables, grains and beans
Pasta water and al dente is cooking pasta until just tender with a little bite, and saving some of the starchy water.
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How do you do it?
1Salt the water well (it should taste like mild seawater).
2Taste a minute before the box time.
3Scoop out a cup of water before draining; finish the pasta in the sauce, adding splashes of water.
Why does it work?
Starch in the water helps the sauce cling and turn glossy; pasta finished in the sauce absorbs its flavor.
What are the common mistakes?
- Rinsing pasta — washes off the starch.
- Draining all the water away.
Still stuck? Watch someone do it on YouTube.
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