If you are looking for an easy option when deciding what to prepare for dinner, pasta is a likely option. The process of cooking pasta may not be very complicated but it does involve specific intricacies that can bring a significant difference to the taste of the meal.
If you do not want to compromise the taste, you must be aware of the mistakes you can make when cooking pasta. The next time you shop for gluten-free pasta in Australia for your next meal, try to avoid these following mistakes when cooking.
Mistake #1 – Substituting Ounce for Ounce
Flours that are gluten-free contain a very different density as compared to the all-purpose flour. This reason makes gluten-free baking a bit complicated. It is the same for gluten-free pasta as well. The serving ratio can be different for different brands and different types of pasta. The best rule would be to go with the serving suggestion on the packet. One packet usually serves four, but always check the packet before cooking.
Mistake #2 – Overfilling the Pot
Gluten-free pasta can be starchier than regular pasta, which could at times form a lot of foam on the brim of the pot. It could boil over quickly and lead to a mess on the stove top. To solve this issue, you should use a larger pot and fill about 2/3rds of it.
Mistake #3 – Using Less in the Water
The pasta water is very important for the overall flavour of the dish. If you don’t salt the water well enough, the result may not be great and it won’t be properly seasoned. Not enough added salt in your gluten-free pasta can make the dish very dull and bland. Therefore it is essential to keep this in mind. Go for at least two tablespoons of salt when boiling gluten-free pasta.
Mistake #4 – Not Stirring Enough
As gluten-free noodles or pasta contain starch, the pasta can be very sticky if not stirred enough. Adding olive oil can avoid this problem. The oil coats the pasta and stops it from clinging to the bottom of the pot. If you don’t want to add oil, then stirring the pasta constantly will avoid this as well.
Mistake #5 – Overcooking the Pasta
It can be one of the biggest and easiest mistakes that you make when cooking pasta. The cook time mentioned on the pasta packet may not be accurate all the time. The pasta shouldn’t be overly stiff but must have a little softness. A simple way to check if the pasta is cooked is to simply select one pasta noodle and taste it. If it is soft all the way through, then it is ready to be served.
Mistake #6 – Using the Right Amount of Sauce
Starch is known for being a natural thickener. You might notice that gluten-free pasta is very dry. When it cools down it absorbs the pasta sauce. To combat the dryness, you must always add enough pasta sauce. If it seems dry, always keep some extra sauce near you.
Keep these tips in mind whenever you want to make pasta the next time for a delicious meal and keep an eye out for companies that sell gluten-free pasta in Australia for great tasting pasta.