Exploring The Surprising Benefits Of Pasta Water
Not everyone knows that pasta cooking water is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is a terrific natural remedy. But often, if not always, it ends up in the sink drain. It is really a great pity! In fact, cooking water can also be helpful in the beauty routine.
It seems strange, but it really is! Rich in starch and minerals, it is simply perfect for personal care. Very well, from now on, before throwing away the cooking water, let's think twice: because we could use it for other interesting uses.
If eaten in the right quantities, its nutritional benefits are remarkable, but the role that cooking water can play in our daily life should not be underestimated.
Used For Watering Flowers
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If you are among those who do not salt the water to cook pasta, rice, or boil vegetables, you can use the cooking water to water your plants or your vegetable garden.
But first, it must be allowed to cool. You can use it for both flower pots and aromatic herbs or vegetables. Those who have a large vegetable garden or many pots to take care of can transfer it directly to a watering can.
As A Hair Pack
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The rice cooking water, rich in starch, can be used to prepare a hair pack to be applied before shampooing and to leave on for at least a quarter of an hour before washing. The hair will be much softer than usual.
Broth
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The cooking water for pasta can be enriched with aromatic herbs and used as a basic broth to prepare soups. If you use the pasta water already salted, remember to avoid adding more salt and not overdo it by adding other seasonings.
Steam Cooking
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You can use the water from the pasta or rice for new cooking, particularly steam cooking. Just transfer the water already used into a new pot, on which you will place a special basket for steam cooking, inside which you can place vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, which will thus maintain all their nutrient content.
Doughs
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Considering that the pasta or rice water will already be salty, you will have to avoid adding the salt required by the recipes. You could try to use it to prepare the bread dough, pizzas, focaccias, crackers, breadsticks, or quiches.
Soaking Of Legumes
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You can use the cooking water from rice or vegetables, as long as it is not excessively salty, for soaking dried legumes such as chickpeas, beans, peas, and lentils.
It is possible to add some bay leaves to the soaking water to make the legumes more digestible. You cannot use the soaking water for cooking legumes. You can use it instead to water the plants.