DP is a maniac

[Kittycuddles]

So today I was chatting (via text) with my dp and was discussing dinner (what he was having at his place) and so he says about having pasta and maybe just adding tomatoes, butter and sweet corn or skmething to that extent as he didnt have much in.

I got confused and asked if he was going to add the butter on top of the cooked pasta, thinking you know, each to their own but that's kinda ew.

And he says no. In the water whilst cooking.

I said ew

He said don't judge me, it's just instead of oil cause we don't have any here at my place.

Aibu to think he is a raving loony to cook pasta by PUTTING OIL OR BUTTER KN THE BOILING WATER WHILST IT COOKS??????

ITS DEFUNCT. THE OIL FLOATS TO THE TOP. SURELY IT MAKES IT GREASY. WTF?????

Aibu to think he is a raving loony to cook pasta by PUTTING OIL OR BUTTER KN THE BOILING WATER WHILST IT COOKS??????

Sorry, OP. Another one who adds oil. I have no idea why. My mum told me to do it when I was younger and Lord knows, I always do what I'm told. 😇

The butter sounds interesting though. I must give it a whirl. Watch this space.

Italians don't add oil; they add salt.

Laughing at the idea of Italians using fat in the cooking water. Sacrilege!

Also, if the pasta comes into contact with oil or butter before the sauce, the pasta will repel the sauce and not mix properly. Think of it greasing the surface of the pasta, and the sauce just slips off, into the bottom of the bowl. Not much point buying quality pasta (brass rolled, rough surface) or spending effort and time on the right sauce to match, if you’re just going to grease the pasta.

Save the time and money, just buy it tinned if you’re going to ruin it!

This would be a deal-breaker for me (and everyone in my family!)

@BoneyBackJefferson

Damn, I was hoping that he was dancing like he never danced before.
😂😂😂 You just won the internet

I had no idea you had to add salt!

The 'sciency' bit is that fresh pasta is only in the water for 3-4 minutes at most, therefore it needs a good amount of salt in the water so that the pasta takes up the seasoning whilst cooking, which is more effective than salting it after you have dished it up. The water should taste like sea water!

I've started doing this after watching the programme I mentioned earlier and it has made a huge difference to the depth of flavour. I'd really recommend watching the series - it's 4 programmes, each are an hour long.

Laughing at the idea of Italians using fat in the cooking water. Sacrilege!

My DF would agree. Although according to my English friends, he was clearly wrong

Its nicer if you add oil after you've drained the pasta rather than whilst its cooking. If its sticking you need to stir it.

Its nicer if you add oil after you've drained the pasta rather than whilst its cooking.

Ah, pasta (spaghetti, ideally), olive oil and a generous dash of cracked black pepper is an awesome accompaniment to steak. Feel free to slice a few olives into the pasta and dust with parmesan. You can experiment with any number of those poncy artisan olive oils that you can find these days. Maybe chilli-infused ?

I don't add anything to the water other than the pasta, but I vaguely remember being told to add oil many years ago when first using pasta. Something about helping it not stick together while cooking. I find a little stir helps to keep it separate anyway.

But my ds, 11 yr old, in year 7 at school cooked macaroni cheese at school recently. He was told to cook it with a little oil in the water, so it is still being taught in some secondary schools.

My mum always puts oil in the pasta water, I never do. Horses for courses.

Italians don't add oil; they add salt.

Yes they do.

I always pop a bit of oil in it.