TEMPERATURE
- Do not start your pot with hot tap water. The hot water leaches microscopic amounts of lead and other chemicals from your pipes. Always start with cold tap water.
- Do not put pasta into cold water. Under normal conditions that is… Put your pasta into water that is at a rolling boil so it will cook consistently.
- That being said, if you are making overnight pasta, after you put your pasta into the water put the pot into the refrigerator so it does not mold overnight.
TIPS ABOUT THE PASTA ITSELF
- When you cook pasta, put a couple tablespoons of the salted pasta water into your sauce. It will help the sauce stick to the pasta.
- If flavor is more important than sauce, toss the pasta with a couple tablespoons of butter before putting on the sauce.
TIPS ABOUT THE SAUCE
- For a meat sauce, use about two thirds 85/15 lean ground chuck and one third ground pork ( for a bit of sweetness )
- For a vegetable sauce be sure to your your mirpois trio: Carrot, celery and onion
- You can enhance your sauce with a bit of wine. White wine gives a good fresh flavor. Red wine gives a stronger bold statement.
- Sear your tomato paste before putting it into your sauce. It will help develop the flavor and concentrate the sugars.
