How to cook perfect pasta

April 2, 3:13 PMProvidence Food ExaminerDonna Diegel

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Calamarata by Garofalo Pasta

The Secret to Perfect Pasta - Do I rinse pasta? How long do I cook pasta for? Do I add salt to the pasta water? Still confused about how to cook pasta? If you follow these pasta preparation tips from Garofalo Pasta, you'll get perfect pasta everytime!

Garofalo Pasta

Do you know the secret to creating the perfect pasta dish? "We do - premium pastas from Garofalo Signature", says Garofalo Pasta. "Perfect pasta dishes start with premium pasta created in Gragnano, Italy's birthplace of pasta. All Garofalo Signature pastas are produced at Garofalo's headquarters near the ruins of Pompeii, using time honored pasta making techniques and only the finest durum wheat, sourced from across the globe by owner Massimo Menna."

Once you have chosen the perfect pasta, be sure to also consider these preparation and pairing tips from Massimo Menna of Garofalo Pasta!

GIVEAWAY - STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

There's a giveaway going on right now for Garofalo's Calamarata pasta, AND a bottle of Partida Agave Nectar! Just follow this link to my blog and I'll hook you right up!

Perfect Pasta Preparation

• Don’t skimp on the water! Use a large enough pot to boil four quarts of water per pound of pasta.
• Adding a pinch of salt will help the water boil faster and flavor the pasta.
• Once the water has reached a boil, lower heat slightly to create a rolling boil.
• There is no need to add any oil to the water to prevent the pasta from sticking. If you use the proper amount of water and keep the temperature at a rolling boil, the pasta will not stick.
• Follow directions included on the package for the type of pasta you are preparing to ensure the correct cooking time. Pasta should be cooked ‘al dente’ or ‘to the tooth’ meaning that the pasta should be firm but not hard. It should have a bite and not be soggy.
• Before draining the pasta, save a cup of the boiling liquid for thickening the sauce. The starches in the liquid will help the sauce stick to the pasta.
• DO NOT RINSE YOUR PASTA! Washing pasta after it has drained will remove all of the starches that help the sauce adhere to the pasta

Pasta Sauce Pairing Suggestions

• Schiaffoni: Cherry tomatoes, basil and red pepper flakes
• Pappardelle: Cream sauce with porcini and mixed mushrooms
• Calamarata: Calamari and cherry tomatoes
• Farfalle: Cream sauce with salmon and peas
• Fusilli: Zucchini cream and squash
• Spaghetti: Clam sauce
• Penne Rigate: Tomato & basil

Recipe Suggestions:

• Garofalo Whole Wheat Signature Farfalle with asparagus, cherry tomatoes and Pecorino Romano
• Capellini al burro e basilico (Capellini with butter and basil)
• Penne pomodoro e prezzemolo (Penne with tomatoes and parsley)
• Pappardelle con i porcini irpini (Pappardelle with porcini mushrooms)
• Calamarata e calamaretti (Calamarata with baby squid)
• Schiaffoni del calzolaio (Schiaffoni made ‘shoe maker’ style)
• Linguine al pesto

Text and photos used with written permission by Garofalo Pasta
Notice: The giveaway is not being run by Examiner.com. Garofalo Pasta and Spatulas & Corkscrews are sponsoring this event.