On 7/17/2011 10:43 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:17:12 -0500, Polly Esther wrote:
>>
>>> No twirling here. I break vermicelli into short pieces and toss it into
>>> boiling salted water with a splash of olive oil. Not really sure why
>>> I add
>>> the olive oil; must be just doing what Granny did. Polly
>>
>> Unless you're making aglio olio, oil in the water prevents sauce from
>> sticking the pasta. Never use oil in the water or rinse your pasta.
>> IMO.
>
> I Did Not Know That!!! I supposed the oil was to stop the pasta sticking
> together in the pan!
>
> Thanks for that

Pasta sticks when it isn't cooked with enough water. Adding oil seems to
be one of those things that became popular for no good reason. Same with
rinsing. Starchy food picks up more flavors when it is still hot and has
more surface starch. Rinsing cools it and also washes off some of the
starch.