No matter how it may seem right now, my life is NOT all about cooking. I swear I have stories to tell! Somewhere, way down deep I have a tale or two. I just have to find them. I have a feeling that as soon as the first school bell rings, they will flow like spring run-off on the first warm day.
Til then, you get food. Good food. Local, sustainable food.
My contribution this week: PASTA
Fundamentally, pasta is very simple. Flour, eggs, and a little salt; all kneaded together by hand until the gluten forms.
Then rested, and rolled, and rested, and sliced, and rested, and boiled.
Easy peasy, right? Right. It is remarkably simple. And FAR superior to anything you can buy in a store. And people are understandably awed by your greatness when you say, "Yes, I make my own pasta."
Then:
Mound 4 cups of all purpose flour either in a bowl, or directly on the counter. Then make a well in the center.
Into the well, crack 6 eggs.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
Gently beat eggs with a fork until they are slightly frothy, pulling in a bit of the flour as you go.
Then pull in more flour. And more. And more. And more. Now lose the fork and use your hand. Squeeze and squish and knead until totally combined and the texture becomes smooth and elastic.
Divide evenly into 4 balls and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 30 minutes.
Lightly flour one of the balls and run it through the rolling machine (set to a wide setting) 3 or 4 times. Lay it on a lightly floured surface. Repeat with the remaining dough. Let it all rest/dry for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Now, roll the flour through the cutting side of the roller, and lightly flour the strips so they don't all stick together.
Let them all rest for about an hour.
And they're ready to be dropped in boiling water with a couple of tablespoons of oil in it. Cook until al dente. About 5-7 minutes.
I tossed this in a sage/butter infusion and topped with still-warm-tomatoes-right-out-of-my-garden. Alfresco. Fantastico.
Oh! And I DO have a story! My baby cousin and his wife had their first baby this week. Welcome to the world Liam. I can't wait to get my hands on you.
The minute I get my hands on a pasta machine (or find a friend who has one) I am making pasta. It's on my bucket list!
Posted by: jessica | July 14, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Oh pasta machine...where for art thou? I would so love to make some pasta to go with the fresh pesto coming right up!
Thank you for sharing your process. It looks like something my girls could really get a kick out of, too.
Posted by: heather jane | July 14, 2009 at 10:24 AM
you can't really call it stealing if you have a key to the house. ;)
Posted by: erin | July 16, 2009 at 02:49 PM
oh fresh pasta!! it looks great!!!
i need to get my machine rolling once the tomatoes ripen.
Posted by: cloth.paper.string | July 21, 2009 at 01:57 AM
ahhh, i miss making pasta! my pasta machine hasn't been used for a loooong time. might be time to dust it off and crank it up. maybe fry up some sage in butter and toss it with my sungold tomatoes. yummmm.
Posted by: molly | July 21, 2009 at 07:30 PM
We use the pasta maker I found at the thrift store for our playdough but this post is making me want to reclaim it for a little homemade pasta. We have an egg allergy though, I'm wondering if it can be done without eggs? Any ideas?
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys | August 16, 2009 at 04:10 PM
I wish I have a pasta machine also so that I can make a pasta on my own..
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Posted by: Coach Factory Outlet | May 06, 2011 at 06:01 AM
We use the pasta maker I found at the thrift store for our playdough but this post is making me want to reclaim it for a little homemade pasta.
Posted by: Five finger shoes | May 18, 2011 at 05:48 AM
nice site! thanks for this recipe! custard cake is one of my favorite! best in pasta.
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