Too hot to cook pasta?

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

My house does not have a/c and when its hot and humid, I hate to cook pasta. I found a great tip in a magazine the other day. Add pasta to boiling salted water with a tbs of oil, return to a boil then cover and remove from heat. Let it sit for the recommended cooking time for that pasta. Drain immediately. Voila! Pasta and no added humidity!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

1. It doesn't taste gummy? n/t

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

2. No, it doesn't taste gummy to me

I think the key is to not let it sit longer than the recommended cooking time.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. That's also a great way to cook chicken

It's called "White Cooked Chicken," and it's an old Chinese method - from when fuel was scarce.

Same as with the macaroni, except you put the chicken parts in the pot, cover them with cold water, add whatever you like - I throw in lots of granulated garlic and slices of ginger - bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover the pot, move to a cold burner, and leave for the rest of the day.

Moist, mildly flavored, chicken for all sorts of things.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

5. That's the way I do chicken for salads, etc.

I vary the seasonings depending on the dish. I learned it from Jacque Pepin who said he learned it from Danny Kaye. Maybe Kaye learned it from a Chinese cook. Whoever started it, I agree, it makes the best chicken.

best

[eleny]

4. We made pasta today

But I've got the air condiotners going. Still, I had to think that maybe I was nuts. I even lit the oven and warmed a loaf of sheepherders bread to go with the pasta.

Your idea sounds good for any time of year. I'll try it next time. I bet it's great fo elbow macs for mac salad. They cook pretty quick anyway!

[fortyfeetunder]

6. Microwaved pasta

After my kid bought some of the Kraft Easy Mac, where one microwaves the macaroni before adding the cheese sauce, I tried nuking my own pasta. It's not difficult, need to have enough water to cover and check every few minutes or so. I have been lucky to get al dente every time I've used it.

[eleny]

7. I never thought of doing this

What's the most pasta you ever made in one batch?

[fortyfeetunder]

8. Enough for 2-3 servings

I don't have any large bowls at home so I make small batches.