Cook in hot water

BOIL

Think of how pasta is prepared when it’s bubbling vigorously in a pot.

"Cook in hot water" is a straightforward definition clue pointing to the word "boil." The verb boil literally means to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor, which fits the idea of cooking something in hot water. There’s no hidden wordplay or trick here—it’s a direct clue where the answer matches the plain meaning of the phrase. Think of boiling pasta or eggs as a simple example.