Gluten Free Pasta - cooking instructions

 

After many years of perfecting my technique I've at last perfected cooking Gluten Free Pasta.  Here are my personal tips:

Cooking gluten-free pasta al dente requires a slightly different approach compared to traditional pasta, but with a few adjustments, you can achieve perfect results every time.

  1. Select Your Pasta: Choose your preferred gluten-free pasta brand. Barilla spaghetti and penne and Ardor Gluten Free  (specialty manufacturer) are both excellent options known for their quality and taste, they are my personal favourites.

  2. Use Adequate Water: Just like with regular pasta, use a large pot filled with plenty of well-salted water. Approximately 4 liters (4,000 mL) of water for every 225 grams (g) of pasta is ideal.

  3. Bring Water to a Boil: Bring the salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.

  4. Cook Just Under Al Dente: Add the gluten-free pasta to the boiling water, stirring immediately to prevent clumping. Cook the pasta just under al dente, slightly less than the recommended cooking time on the package. Remember, gluten-free pasta tends to continue cooking even after draining.

  5. Drain and Return to Pot: Once the pasta is cooked to your desired texture, immediately drain it in a colander. Then, return the drained pasta back to the pot with a very small amount of cooking water.

  6. Add Olive Oil: To prevent the pasta from sticking together and to help the sauce adhere evenly, add a good glug of extra virgin olive oil to the drained pasta in the pot. This step is crucial, especially for gluten-free pasta, as it tends to be more absorbent than traditional pasta.

  7. Toss with Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with your favourite sauce or ingredients directly in the pot. The olive oil will help spread the sauce evenly over the pasta, ensuring each strand is coated with flavour.

  8. Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the sauced pasta to serving dishes and enjoy immediately. Gluten-free pasta can be more delicate than regular pasta, so it's best to serve it promptly to maintain its texture and flavour.

With these tips, you'll master the art of cooking gluten-free pasta al dente and create delicious, satisfying meals every time.