Part 5/9:
Nick’s Italian roots enable him to pass down essential pasta cooking wisdom. He outlines the importance of a large pot and proper salting of cooking water to ensure even cooking. The pasta should be stirred gently and cooked until al dente, retaining a slight bite. Once cooked, reserving pasta water for later use in sauce preparation is a crucial tip he shares.
6. The Perfect Pot of Rice
Nick shares his grandfather's method for making fluffy rice, emphasizing rinsing the grains beforehand to remove excess starch. Using a simple ratio of one cup of rice to two cups of water is integral to achieving desirable results. He also introduces an additional trick by browning the rice in butter for extra flavor and texture.