Draining Pasta? The Chef Warns Against This Common Mistake

If you eat pasta, chances are you drain it. If you drain pasta, there's a very high chance you're making a common mistake. According to a well-known chef, many people misunderstand what "al dente" pasta is, draining it too soon or too late. According to him, if your pasta is too hard and refuses to mash between your teeth, it's far from ready. The chef is Christopher Kimball, founder of Milk Street Kitchen cooking school. He notes that this is one of the most common mistakes in home kitchens.

"Al dente" pasta, originating from Italian meaning "to the tooth," refers to a texture where the pasta still holds its shape but is neither too hard nor too soft. In other words, the goal is to achieve a slight bite that offers a pleasant chewing experience. Kimball, in a conversation with French cooking YouTuber Alex Ainouz, explained: "A lot of people think 'al dente' means almost uncooked pasta, but that's a mistake. When you chew the pasta and it sticks to your teeth, it's simply not ready."

According to pasta experts quoted in the "Daily Mirror," the recommendation is to cook the pasta about two minutes less than what the package states, and then taste it. If the texture is firm but not hard, it's ready for draining. It's important to remember that fresh pasta requires significantly less cooking time – usually between two to three minutes only.

Another tip for identifying ready pasta is to check its inner color. If the inside of the pasta is slightly lighter, it's a sign it's cooked to the al dente level. Besides the culinary advantage, cooking pasta to al dente is also beneficial for health. Since pasta cooked a bit less maintains a lower glycemic index, it helps keep blood sugar levels balanced and provides a prolonged feeling of fullness.

So, next time you prepare to cook pasta, remember – don't rush to drain it, but also don't wait until it's too soft. Give it another moment in the boiling water, try it with a bite, and achieve the perfect texture.