I don't know how to boil noodles and I don't understand the directions...CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?

Question

So...my dad's girlfriend went out somewhere and my dad can't cook to save his life...she told me just to make pastina and I've never touched a stove in my entire life...here's what the instructions say:

1. Bring 5 quarts of water (per lb of pasta) to a boil and add salt if desired

2. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally for firm "al dente" pasta (vary cooking time for desired consistency).

3. Drain immediately and serve with your facorite delallo pasta sauce.

Alright, so, here's my questions:
-How many degrees should I set it to once it's on the stove?
-How much is a quart?
-How much pastina should I put in there for a serving of one person?
-When it bubbles does that mean that it's boiling?

Thank you to anyone who can help me!

Additional Details

How long do I keep the noodles in the boiling water until I strain them?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Bring 5 quarts of water (per lb of pasta) to a boil and add salt if desired
**Get a medium pan and fill it 1/2 way up with water. Turn the heat on high and wait until it is a rolling bubbly boil.
.
Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally for firm "al dente" pasta (vary cooking time for desired consistency).
**Add about a cup of uncooked pasta. Wait for it to boil again and turn the heat down to just below medium. Stir often and watch it so it does not boil over. If it is boiling to hard it will boil over. Turn the heat down if this happens. Allow to cook about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta tastes the way you like it. The longer you cook it, the softer it will get.

3. Drain immediately and serve with your facorite delallo pasta sauce.

Alright, so, here's my questions:
-How many degrees should I set it to once it's on the stove?
**Set on high, then when you add the pasta, turn it down to medium or lower.
-How much is a quart?
**Like a quart of oil for the car.
-How much pastina should I put in there for a serving of one person?
**Approx 1 cup
-When it bubbles does that mean that it's boiling?
**Yep

Good Luck and Enjoy your pasta.

I would recommend that you ask your Dad's girlfriend some pointers on how to cook. Everyone needs to know how, including your Dad. Start with some breakfast foods like pancakes and eggs, and work up to pasta and cakes, cookies. As you get better, work your way up to bigger and better things and some recipes or recipe sites like www.allrecipes.com. It is really not hard. Someone just needs to show you how.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks! I didn't catch the house on fire, and they were edible!
My goal has officially been achieved!

Answer 2

ohkay, i used to have this problem.

1.get pot out
2. fill halfway with water.
3. wait till rapid bubbles appear (yes this means its boiling)
4. pour box of pasta in
5. wait till pasta is tender( taste a bite if you must)

BA-BAM! its done

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?…

Answer 3

wow. okay.

put the water on medium to high heat. as for how to measure a quart, if you don't have a measuring cup, just put a lot of water on the stove (the actual amount doesn't matter - it just has to cover the pasta).

when it bubbles, it's boiling...when it's doing this rapidly (and after adding a pinch of salt), throw in the pasta. if you're hungry put a cup of dry pasta in per person.

i trust you'll know when it's edible.

good luck!

Answer 4

Ok so I never really measure the water. Just get a big pan and fill it with water..not all the way full like half way or a little over. then set the stove to not really high but between high and medium somewhere...add a little salt to the water for faster boiling...after a while it will start to boil(bubbling like rolling bubbles) let it boil for a few minutes then add the noodle and let them boil(still bubbeling) it is your opinion when they are done..just take out a noodle and eat it to see if it tastes right.or if it is a long like spaghettie noddle throw one at the wall..if it sticks it is done..lol...good luck

Answer 5

Here's the real poop. For one person, get a medium size saucepan and fill 2/3 with water. For best results, let the water come to a full boil, yes, when BIG bubbles start bouncing around. Add 2 cups of pasta, be sure the pasta is covered with water and stir it so it won't stick to the bottom. 2 cups of pasta will be generous. If it isn't covered, add more water and heat to a full boil again. (this ain't rocket science). Turn down the water to just above simmer and let it cook for 8 minutes.....taste it. Done to your liking? Drain and serve. Good luck.

Answer 6

no offense but you are a dumb-***

Answer 7

You don't really need to measure the water to an exact amount, just put some into a large pan (big enough pan to hold your pasta and water to cover the pasta). Turn the stove on high so as to get the water to boil faster. Adding salt is optional. Some say the salt causes the water to boil faster, but that is a myth. It only makes the pasta taste saltier. Some like it saltier, some do not. A quart is a quarter (1/4) of a gallon, 32 ounces, 4 cups. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quart . How much per person depends on the appetite... the rule of thumb is 4 ounces of uncooked dry (as opposed to uncooked fresh...) pasta per person. So look at your package to see how many ounces are in there, if it is 16 ounces (1 pound; 1 lb), use 1/4 of the package per person. However, it never hurts to make a little extra and have leftovers. When things are boiling they are bubbling, yes. You can test one piece of pasta after a few minutes to see if it is the consistency you like and if it is too hard for you cook another minute or two and try another piece until you get it to the consistency you like (it gets softer the longer it cooks).

Cooking can actually be quite easy, fun, tasty, and creative.

Good luck! And have fun exploring other recipes!