Save your pasta water | Louise Prete Food Kitchen Hack

Pasta water is the secret ingredient most people forget about adding to their sauce. Here's why you should save it.

Cooking dry pasta is one of the easiest, most self-explanatory techniques of any cuisine. Even the most novice home cook can handle it.

Pasta water is the leftover liquid after the pasta has been cooked, and it’s filled with starchy, salty goodness. Although it may look murky and dirty, this stuff is the key to a successful sauce, and to a beautiful pasta dish.

After your pasta is done cooking, remove it from the pot using tongs or a pasta fork so your water is left in the bottom of the pan. That way you can save as much or as little of the water as you want. I like to reserve about a cup of water per pot of pasta.

Next, add the sauce to the pot of water and stir, then add the pasta. 

The starch content adds a silky richness to your sauce and the salt content lends extra flavour. 

This trick is what separates average pasta dishes from the delightful, complex dishes at your favourite Italian restaurant. Enjoy! 👩🏽‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳