How to Cook pasta al dente

It's an evening of wining and dining and you want your meal to come out perfect. Whether a side dish or main course, please your crowd with pasta al dente.

You Will Need

* An 8-quart pot

* 5 qts. water

* 2 tbsp. salt

* 1 lb. pasta

* Tongs

* Timer

* Colander

Step 1: Fill pot with water

Fill a large pot with water – five quarts for every pound of noodles.

Step 2: Add salt and boil

Add a tablespoon or two of salt per every five quarts – depending on what your personal diet allows – and bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Put pasta in water

Put the pasta in the boiling water and twirl with the tongs a few times in the first few minutes of cooking.

Twirling the pasta with tongs separates the noodles and eliminates the need for oil in the water.

Step 4: Do a taste test after five minutes

Refer to package instructions for how long to cook – it depends on the amount of pasta – but after about five minutes, do a taste test. If you bite into the noodle and see a white starchy line, it needs another few minutes.

Step 5: Try second taste test

Try a second taste test about two minutes later. The noodles should be firm on the outside and soft on the inside.

Step 6: Drain pasta

Use a colander to drain the pasta. Transfer to a bowl, toss with sauce, and bon appétit.

Fact: Al dente pasta is better for people with diabetes: sugars are broken down differently in well-done pasta, elevating bad blood sugar levels.