You probably think that pasta is the easiest food in the world to make (after toast, maybe). And making pasta is easy, but doing it right is a whole other story. I think it’s safe to say that most of us boil a large pot of water, then throw the pasta in. However, to make the best quality pasta, you should actually do without the pot.
According to Harold McGee of Chowhound, you can save a lot of time, energy and water by cooking your pasta in a pan. Simply pour cold water into the pan, then add your pasta. Add a little more water so that the pasta is completely covered. Then heat the pan and wait for it to boil gently.
Because the water is cold to begin with, the pasta will not stick together. This method not only ensures that your pasta will be perfectly cooked, but also that you will have the remaining liquid available, perfect for making all kinds of sauces. The remaining water in which the pasta was cooked contains a lot of starch, which is a great thickener and will help the sauce stick to the pasta.
