A question about a recipe: Daddy's Carbonara

I have a question about step 1 on the recipe "Daddy's Carbonara" from Eric Liftin. It says:

"Start cooking the pasta (I have long subscribed to the less-water method Harold McGee addresses here). " What is the Harold McGee less-water method for making pasta?

Grandma Lu
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Daddy's Carbonara
Recipe question for: Daddy's Carbonara

2 Comments

Maedl
Maedl August 28, 2012
See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/dining/25curi.html?pagewanted=all
 
Sam1148
Sam1148 August 28, 2012
I"m not sure about that specific method. But for Japaneese Soba noodles. You use less water. Bring it to a boil put in the noodles wait for boil again, and then dump in another cup of water..and wait for boil...and do that three times. Adding a cup of water each time and waiting for return to boil.

For normal pasta..I rarely use the recommended quarts of water in a big pot. But a 2qt 'pasta pot' Aprox. which has a clamp on lid, with drain holes, and pure stainless steel.
For that (for two people) it's fine and I fill about 4 inches below the top of the pot with water. It works well for me. I too think the recommended 'lots and lots of water' for pasta is overrated You just need to stir more at the start to keep the stuff separated until it softens and starts rolling about in the pot.

 
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