Whenever I have the chance to eat at Scarpetta, my favorite Italian restaurant in New York, I always go for their pasta. I love how it is perfectly done. Setting aside the sauce, the pasta itself is already perfect. I attempted to recreate their pasta at home, and here are some of the secrets that I can share with you!
Choose the Right Pasta
The first step is to make sure that you buy the right kind of pasta. You might be overwhelmed with the seemingly endless choices that you can find on the shelves of a supermarket. Do not just pick any product that comes with the most attractive packaging or the cheapest price. Take a closer look. As much as possible, pick one from an artisanal producer, which can provide you with the assurance that it is made using only the freshest ingredients, unlike those that are mass-produced.
Pay Attention to the Water
What makes pasta great in the best restaurants Nomad? There are many factors, but in my opinion, one that makes the biggest difference is the water. No, you do not need a special kind of water. Rather, the important thing is to make sure that the water is already boiling before you add the pasta. Also, make sure that the pasta will be fully submerged so that it can absorb the water. Adding salt to the water is one simple trick that will work like magic. This will help to enhance the flavor.
Keep on Stirring
It might be tempting to leave the pasta cooking on its own while you attend to other things or just lounge on the couch to watch your favorite TV series. However, the pasta may end up clumping. With this, exert the effort to stir the pasta as it is cooked. Stir it up to three times during the cooking period.
Keep Track of the Time
Even if you ask seasoned chefs on the secrets of cooking pasts, they would agree that timing is one of the most important elements. Most kinds of pasta will take eight to twelve minutes to be cooked. By the time the cooking reaches four minutes, start testing the doneness. You should also turn off the heat at least two minutes before the scheduled time. The water is still hot at this point and will keep on cooking the pasta. Otherwise, the pasta will end up being mushy or overcooked.
Finish with the Right Sauce
Some people would like their pasta simple, with only olive oil and a dash of pepper. For most, however, they pair it with the best pasta sauces, which they make on their own as well. The sky is the limit when it comes to the sauces you can pair it with. One of the most important is to make sure of the right pasta and sauce pairings.
There is no need to be a trained and experienced chef to cook the perfect pasta at home. By keeping in mind the things that have been mentioned above, it will be easier to find a meal that people will praise you for!
