when to begin counting

[laden]

This is one of those questions I've never known the answer to...When a recipe tells you to add an ingredient and "cook for 3 minutes" Do you begin timing as soon as you put the ingredient in or once it starts to cook?

[Marcie]

I've always assumed it was cooking as soon as I added it to the pan. Unless a recipe says "bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes," in which case I don't start timing until it's come to a boil.

[doggerham]

I seem to remember reading in a competing magazine which shall remain nameless, that with pasta, you put the pasta in, wait til it comes to a boil, and THEN start counting.

So, that goes with the theory of waiting til the cooking begins. Of course, when you dump a half pound or a pound of pasta, that significantly lowers the water temp, so it makes sense to wait.

Hope that helps some http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Amy