How to cook pasta the italian way

You can buy several different brands of pasta. I grew up eating Barilla pasta, but DeCecco is good too (a little bit expensive, though). Different brands taste different after cooking, mainly because they have different consistency once cooked. The perfect cooked pasta doesn't have to become fluffy, but always a tiny bit uncooked ("al dente" right?) and stay firm for all the time you are eating. Once you buy the right brand of pasta, my dad's recipe for the perfect cooked pasta is simple: just follow the time that is written on the package of pasta. If it says 11 min, then watch your clock, because 11 min after you put the pasta in the boiling water, the pasta needs to be drained and it will be as close to the perfectness as you can get. That is really so simple.

A step back. Once the water is boiling in the pot ( and before putting in the pasta) add the salt. How much salt? About a tablespoon, for a large pot full of water. I use my hand to measure, see the picture... A little secret: add few drops of olive oil to the boiling water to avoid pasta attaching to one another.

Pasta with white beans for winter time

Today I will make pasta with white beans (cannellini). My mom used to make me this delicious recipe when I was a kid and I just loved it. My sister loved it too. Let's start.

Time for preparation: about 10-15 minutes.

Choose the right shape of pasta: this dish requires tubettini or ditalini.

1) Put the 3 cups of water in a pot. Put the pot on the stove medium fire. Cover the pot with a lid.

2) Add a tablespoon olive oil, a teaspoon of salt, garlic, onions and celery. Optional: carrots.

3)Open a can of beans (better if you buy dry-beans and soak them in water for 8 hours). Wash the beans under cold water and add them to the pot.

4) When the beans are soft, add the pasta (1 cup per person).

5) Cook until the pasta is almost done (about 5 minutes). Some of the beans will smash creating something delicious.

6) Let it rest for few minutes.

Before serving, you can add pepper and parmesan cheese. Extra-virgin olive oil too.

In the summer, you can add to the dish a couple of cherry tomatoes and some basil.

PS. i made steamed broccoli as side dish...the pasta was super good...better than maccaroni&cheese

Buon appetito