Secrets to Drying Pasta
The same dried pasta found in stores can be made at home with ingredients found in most households. Pasta dough is made from grains, water and eggs, and the dough is pressed and cut into different shapes. Dried pasta can be stored for up to three years and must be cooked in water to soften it. Pasta is sometimes laid on flat surfaces to dry, which is a difficult task in smaller homes. A few secrets can help you dry your pasta regardless of how much space you have. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Dry the pasta for 15 minutes on a flat, floured surface before cutting. This makes the pasta less sticky and easier to cut. Drying the pasta much longer than 15 minutes, though, may cause it to crack when cut.
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Dry freshly cut pasta slightly before cooking it. Put a pot full of water on the stove to boil and then prepare your pasta. Drying cut pasta dough makes it firmer and less sticky. This prevents clumping and helps the cut pieces retain their shape. Dry the cut pasta by placing it on a floured surface for 15 minutes.
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Choose a storage container if you aren’t cooking the pasta right away. Dry the pasta completely before storing it at room temperature. Place it on a floured surface and dust the pasta with additional flour. Each piece must be separated so it dries evenly. Wider noodles and shaped pasta pieces should be turned over partway through the drying time so that they dry on both sides. Alternatively, lay the pasta over a chair covered with a floured dish towel or hang the pasta from a drying rack. Afterward, store the pasta in an airtight container in a cool and dry area.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the location where you dry the noodles is warm and dry.
If the noodles are very long, wrap them into nests and let them dry. Flip them over every 10 minutes so each side dries. Drying time depends on the shape and thickness of the pasta.
If you have a broom available, place two chairs near each other and lay the broom on the chair seats. Hang the pasta on the broom. Alternatively, hang the pasta from hangers.
Fresh pasta must be completely dried before storage to prevent mold.
References
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