Here are some important tips for those of us beginning to cook:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- When cooking pasta, always use enough water. 4 quarts for 1 pound of pasta. But honestly, an extra splash of water won\u2019t hurt. Too little water will definitely ruin your pasta. <\/li>
- Season your water with a bit of salt. It tastes better. While it\u2019s true that salt water boils at a higher temperature, you\u2019re not using enough salt to make a difference here. <\/li>
- Bring your water to a true boil before adding your pasta. Not sure if it\u2019s ready yet? You should be at the point where the bubbles are surfacing quickly, you see steam rising from the water, you hear a hissing sound. Remember that extra splash of water from step 1? No harm in it if you boil the water an extra minute before adding the pasta. Too soon and you will ruin your pasta. <\/li>
- No fair adding more pasta mid-cook. Accidentally added too little pasta for your crowd? You\u2019ll have to start more pasta AFTER your initial pasta is completely done and removed from pot.<\/li>
- Remember to stir your pasta for the first minute so that it won\u2019t stick together. Then stir occasionally until it\u2019s done<\/li>
- Sample a piece of your pasta for doneness. I like mine to be just a little firm (al dente). <\/li>
- Save a cup of your pasta water to add a splash to your dish if desired. Do not rinse your pasta in water; you want the starchy goodness to cling to your pasta.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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I\u2019m not a snob. I also have boxed mac n cheese at home. We like it! If, however, you want to impress someone with a restaurant grade batch of love, try this recipe. It\u2019s a little involved, but I\u2019m giving you plenty of tips to make it fool proof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheese sauce step 1:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melt \u00bd cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in medium or large saucepan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Now you\u2019ll add 8 tablespoons of flour and begin to whisk. This is what the French call a \u201croux\u201d (pronounced ROO). We\u2019ll use a white roux (minimal boiling time) for this recipe. Your roux will be done as soon as you notice that it begins to puff up in the saucepan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make a roux<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next we begin adding the cream and the milk. 2 cups of each. A lot, I realize. And you\u2019ll want to add this gradually, whisking like you mean it, until it\u2019s all wonderfully incorporated. This will come to a boil (use medium-low heat). You will boil for 2 minutes, then simmer (bring your heat all the way to the lowest setting) for 10 minutes. It will now be a Bechamel (another fancy French word meaning white sauce). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make a bechamel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now we will add 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the white sauce, turning it into a cheese sauce. I dump the cheese in unceremoniously and stir with a wooden spoon until the cheese is melted completely. Plus I add 1 teaspoon salt and \u00bd teaspoon black pepper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n