FabSwingers.com forum: Do you put salt in the water when cooking pasta?

By *ickshawed OP Couple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

I haven't in years. I did when I first moved out, because my mum always did. But then I figured we ate too much salt anyway.

I can't say I've noticed any difference.

What do you do?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No I don’t, nor when boiling spuds

as you said it’s way too much salt with the salt usually put on spuds once toasted and cheeses on pasta etc

Still taste as bloody good

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By *enrietteandSamCouple
over a year ago

Staffordshire

Yes I do put salt in the water.

It helps to keep my hair nourished.

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By *reyToTheFairiesWoman
over a year ago

Carlisle usually

Yes.

But then I do pasta with vegetables and herbs rather than cheese or salty sauces. So it makes a difference to me.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

Always. It should be as salty as the med.

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By *hilloutMan
over a year ago

All over the place! Northwesr, , Southwest

Ofc

Who doesn't?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

not in pasta, but I do with potatoes. however, I never put salt on my food

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"Always. It should be as salty as the med."

I am told this by my son, who claims to be akin to a bona fide Italian granny cook.

He never complained about the unsalted pasta fed to him as a child.

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

Yes I do. I stopped for awhile but nope. Bland pasta isn't for me.

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By *enrietteandSamCouple
over a year ago

Staffordshire

"Always. It should be as salty as the med.

I am told this by my son, who claims to be akin to a bona fide Italian granny cook.

He never complained about the unsalted pasta fed to him as a child. "

Italian granny cook…

*sniggers*

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By *enrietteandSamCouple
over a year ago

Staffordshire

"Yes I do. I stopped for awhile but nope. Bland pasta isn't for me."

You like a the pasta like you like a the penis

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By *uke_silverMan
over a year ago

London

"I haven't in years. I did when I first moved out, because my mum always did. But then I figured we ate too much salt anyway.

I can't say I've noticed any difference.

What do you do?

That's sacrilegious behaviour!

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

"Yes I do. I stopped for awhile but nope. Bland pasta isn't for me.

You like a the pasta like you like a the penis"

Firm to the bite, a bit salty and getting on a bit (fresh pasta isn’t that good)? Yep, sounds about right.

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By *enrietteandSamCouple
over a year ago

Staffordshire

"Yes I do. I stopped for awhile but nope. Bland pasta isn't for me.

You like a the pasta like you like a the penis

Firm to the bite, a bit salty and getting on a bit (fresh pasta isn’t that good)? Yep, sounds about right. "

But do you like a the Italian accent I typed a the response in?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No, I can’t taste the difference so it seems pointless to do it. A waste of salt

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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

The salt you add to cooking pasta is nothing compared to the amounts in cheap bread, margarine and processed foods.

If you want to reduce salt in your diet cook your own food & add lots of salt, it’s good for you especially if you do a lot of cardio

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

"Yes I do. I stopped for awhile but nope. Bland pasta isn't for me.

You like a the pasta like you like a the penis

Firm to the bite, a bit salty and getting on a bit (fresh pasta isn’t that good)? Yep, sounds about right.

But do you like a the Italian accent I typed a the response in?"

I, erm...

Yes? Of course I do?

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
over a year ago

Hastings

No salt when boiling but I do the pasta in the biggest pan I have.

Do the sauce in a pan.

Drain and add the sauce and cook for another 5min so the sauce flavour sticks more to the pasta.

Think it was a Jame Oliver tip.

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By *ickshawed OP Couple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

"I haven't in years. I did when I first moved out, because my mum always did. But then I figured we ate too much salt anyway.

I can't say I've noticed any difference.

What do you do?

That's sacrilegious behaviour!"

Is that according to the gospel of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"Always. It should be as salty as the med.

I am told this by my son, who claims to be akin to a bona fide Italian granny cook.

He never complained about the unsalted pasta fed to him as a child.

Italian granny cook…

*sniggers*"

He's got the mannerisms and everything

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

Italian gf said always put pinch of salt and splash of olive oil in.

I've only theories as to why. I tended just to accept whatever culinary advice she gave after the first time I tasted her Tiramisu.

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By *cotCouple666Couple
over a year ago

Central Belt

I do. My mum always said it "stops the pasta sticking to the arse of the pan"

Beth x

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By *ictoria_1976TV/TS
over a year ago

Cirencester

Nope - don't add salt to anything - enough salt in everyday food as it is - just a splash of olive oil for me in pasta

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I don't use salt in any cooking. We generally consume an unhealthily high level of salt.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
over a year ago

Paradise, Herts

Yes

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By *ickshawed OP Couple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

"Italian gf said always put pinch of salt and splash of olive oil in.

I've only theories as to why. I tended just to accept whatever culinary advice she gave after the first time I tasted her Tiramisu."

That's a funny use for pasta, whether salted or not.

Unless it's a name for her lady parts

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By *rLordMan
over a year ago

Swadlincote

Olive oil or salt helps with the cooking of pasta, only a small amount though

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By *partharmonyCouple
over a year ago

Ruislip

No. I've never seen the point.

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

Bit of salt to cut the starch,bit of oil to stop it sticking together

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By *ickshawed OP Couple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

"Bit of salt to cut the starch,bit of oil to stop it sticking together"

I've never added oil to pasta water, and the only time it sticks together is when my husband cooks and forgets to stir it

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By *appy nakedMan
over a year ago

Merseyside

Just a drop of olive oil, although I’ve not had any problems when I’ve forgot

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By *orny-DJMan
over a year ago

Leigh-on-Sea

Yes, and a drop of olive oil to stop it sticking together in clumps

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By *ulieAndBeefCouple
over a year ago

Manchester-ish

Oil floats on water so adding it to cooking pasta doesn't do anything, you may as well pour it down to sink.

Just give the pasta a good stir a couple of times.

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By *eardedman7Man
over a year ago

Berkshire

Certainly do and then olive oil once drained

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By *essaMayWoman
over a year ago

Fairytale Wood

"I haven't in years. I did when I first moved out, because my mum always did. But then I figured we ate too much salt anyway.

I can't say I've noticed any difference.

What do you do?

It is the correct way to cook pasta - just ask Gino. So yes always

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

No, I don’t add salt to anything. This gets right on my mums last nerve as she was brought up to add salt to everything, and then says my cooking is tasteless. She may be right.

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By *uke_silverMan
over a year ago

London

"I haven't in years. I did when I first moved out, because my mum always did. But then I figured we ate too much salt anyway.

I can't say I've noticed any difference.

What do you do?

That's sacrilegious behaviour!

Is that according to the gospel of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? "

No, it's not just words in a text - it's a known fact that everytime you put pasta in unsalted water, an Italian Nonna cries somewhere.

Seriously though, it's not like you're drinking the pasta water, you need to add salt for flavour! https://youtu.be/Sq7xryeX_fg

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Only time I ever really use salt is on chips.

Danish x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Always

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Always. It should be as salty as the med."
---- this

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By *ellinever70Woman
over a year ago

Ayrshire

Yes

I don't do bland food

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Salt in water isn't just for adding flavour - traditionally salt was used to help stop the starches from making the pasta sticky.

Salt isn't a huge enemy either, contrary to popular belief. Pure seasalt contains Iodine, which we are mostly deficient off.

xx Jess

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By *asygoingguy82Man
over a year ago

bognor

The salt makes the water boil at a slightly higher temperature so the pasta cooks more evenly and you don't consume most of the salt anyway, don't bother with the oil in the water as it does nothing and add a bit of the pasta water too the dish as it helps the sauce coat the pasta. You can thank me after you next bolognese

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By *ouplecu2015Couple
over a year ago

Reading

the pasta should be cooked with 1 liter of water for every 100 grams of pasta and 10 grams of salt for every liter of water or 7 grams of salt

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By *sleWightCoupleCouple
over a year ago

Ryde

Just a splash of oil to stop it sticking together.

Any condiments are added once plated up.

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By *agerMorganMan
over a year ago

Canvey Island

Nope, no salt or olive oil here. What is going with it adds to the flavour.

Also, stir the damn thing to stop it sticking together

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

"Italian gf said always put pinch of salt and splash of olive oil in.

I've only theories as to why. I tended just to accept whatever culinary advice she gave after the first time I tasted her Tiramisu.

That's a funny use for pasta, whether salted or not.

Unless it's a name for her lady parts

I'm quite sure I don't now what you mean

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By *ickshawed OP Couple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

"Nope, no salt or olive oil here. What is going with it adds to the flavour.

Also, stir the damn thing to stop it sticking together

I do! It's my husband who gets easily distracted and forgets. I blame all those women who get their boobs out on here

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By *ose-tinted GlassesMan
over a year ago

Glasgow / London

"Always. It should be as salty as the med."

Correct. And then you use a ladle of the salty, starchy water to finish your sauce.

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

"Always. It should be as salty as the med.

Correct. And then you use a ladle of the salty, starchy water to finish your sauce. "

I was told to do this also.

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By *ose-tinted GlassesMan
over a year ago

Glasgow / London

I mean, you can’t make cacio e pepe without it. Or carbonara.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes, as I wasn't getting enough salt..

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By *plofsinnersCouple
over a year ago

Haddington

I definitely put salt in my pasta. If you don't your will need to put loads of salt in the finished meal

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

"I mean, you can’t make cacio e pepe without it. Or carbonara."

Carbonara was my instant thought. I got the cream out, she went off on an Italian rant, very sexy though.

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By *he Silver FuxMan
over a year ago

Uttoxeter

"Always. It should be as salty as the med."

this is what I have always been told, one day I intend to cook pasta with Mediterranean seawater and see how it tastes.

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By *he Silver FuxMan
over a year ago

Uttoxeter

"Nope, no salt or olive oil here. What is going with it adds to the flavour.

Also, stir the damn thing to stop it sticking together

I do! It's my husband who gets easily distracted and forgets. I blame all those women who get their boobs out on here

I can sympathise- the number of cold bits of toast and burnt bacon that has due to Fab boob distraction…

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"I mean, you can’t make cacio e pepe without it. Or carbonara.

Carbonara was my instant thought. I got the cream out, she went off on an Italian rant, very sexy though."

Cream has no business near anything called carbonara

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Defo

Small drop of oil always works for me x

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

"I mean, you can’t make cacio e pepe without it. Or carbonara.

Carbonara was my instant thought. I got the cream out, she went off on an Italian rant, very sexy though.

Cream has no business near anything called carbonara

Cosa fai mio dio...

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By *andyfloss2000Woman
over a year ago

ashford

Yes I do x

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By *eneralKenobiMan
over a year ago

North Angus

Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish "

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt..

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By *andS2020Couple
over a year ago

Holbeach

It depends on what the pasta is going with for us. Salt, pepper and seasonings in general are staples in our house.

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By *eneralKenobiMan
over a year ago

North Angus

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt.."

I don’t even have sea salt in my house

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt..

I don’t even have sea salt in my house

Its widely available in shops..

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By *eneralKenobiMan
over a year ago

North Angus

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt..

I don’t even have sea salt in my house

Its widely available in shops.."

Well yeah I know that

but I prefer the pink stuff Taste wise

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt..

I don’t even have sea salt in my house

Its widely available in shops..

Well yeah I know that

but I prefer the pink stuff Taste wise "

Add it to the cooked pasta. Just saying the benefits maybe wasted in the boiling process. But whatever suits you..

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By *eneralKenobiMan
over a year ago

North Angus

"Yeah I do although I use the pink Himalayan salt. Apparently it’s healthier, could be pish

It has more minerals. But don't know if bowling it in Pasta is best way of taking it.

I only use it directly on food on my plate. For bowling pasta I use sea salt..

I don’t even have sea salt in my house

Its widely available in shops..

Well yeah I know that

but I prefer the pink stuff Taste wise

Add it to the cooked pasta. Just saying the benefits maybe wasted in the boiling process. But whatever suits you..

It goes in both. I’ve replaced sea salt with Himalayan salt

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By *andering Welsh GuyMan
over a year ago

All over the place

Yes, thought mostly from habit

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By *rofessor ElementalMan
over a year ago

Durham

Yes, as salting the water is like laying the foundation down to a great meal.

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By *herry delightWoman
over a year ago

Ilfracombe

No I don't cook with salt. We eat far too much of it.

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