No Oil in Pasta Water?
Food Network chefs insist that you shouldn't add oil to boiling pasta water for better sauce adhesion https://x.com/FoodNetwork/status/2031430247653028301.
Adding oil to pasta water is believed to prevent the pasta from sticking together and the pot from boiling over. However, the Food Network argues that the oil floats on top and doesn't mix with the water, thus not coating the pasta effectively. The real solution to preventing sticking is to use enough water and stir the pasta frequently during the first few minutes of cooking. Also, rinsing the pasta after cooking will remove excess starch that causes sticking, but this should only be done when making cold pasta salads. Some chefs also believe that oil interferes with sauce adhesion, as it creates a barrier that prevents the sauce from properly coating the pasta. Without the oil, the sauce will cling better to the pasta's starchy surface.
