Fresh Pasta

Let’s disabuse you of some prejudiced notions of fresh pasta right away. You don’t (really) need any special machines, it does not take hours to make, you don’t need any special flour, nor do you need to make a mountain of flour on your counter for it to come out right.

Okay, yes you do. But that’s the fun part.

Making homemade pasta is a slightly more involved recipes, but the reward is a pasta with a texture that is completely different from the pasta you’re used to. Both hard and fresh pasta are “authentic” versions of this famous Italian dish, however fresh pasta is reserved for a somewhat more festive occasion.

If you want to make ravioli, follow the steps up until the cutting. Lay the pasta sheet out, place small mounds of your filling spaced one finger apart, then brush egg wash all around the fillings. Lay a second sheet of pasta on the first, and smooth out any air pockets between the sheets of pasta. Cut around the mounds to finish making the ravioli.

Tortellini are similar. First cut squares of pasta, place a mound of filling in the center, brush with egg, fold the square up to form a triangle, then pull the two side points together and stick with egg.

Flour

You can use regular flour. Pour the flour out on a clean work surface. With your fingers, make a depression in the center of the flour all the way to the surface, and push the flour out slightly.

Add the Eggs

Add eggs into the center of the well one at a time, mixing constantly. The egg pulls the flour into the mixture slowly.

Mixing the Flour and Egg

Continue mixing. The well will grow wider and more shallow as more flour is incorporated into the mixture. You can start nudging the flour into the mix. Eventually it will turn into a shaggy dough. Start kneading the dough.

Kneading the Dough

The pasta dough will be very stiff and dull. Continue kneading the dough with the heels of your hand, smearing the dough out then folding it over. Keep kneading until the dough begins to get glossy.

Rest the Dough

Let the dough rest in plastic wrap for 20 minutes to relax the gluten.

Scale the Dough

Cut the dough into portions, one portion per egg. Roll out the dough until it is as thin as you want it,

Using A Pasta Maker

Liberally coat the pasta maker with flour. The pasta maker has a large knob on the side. Start at a low number and pass the dough through. Fold the dough into thirds and pass it through. Repeat. This helps keep the shape of the pasta sheet square. Increment the number on the knob to make the pasta sheet thinner.

Cutting the Pasta

Liberally coat the cutting tool with flour. Use the cutting tool to cut pasta ribbons.

Alternative Method of Cutting

Fold the pasta sheet into thirds. Using a knife or scraper, cut the pasta into ribbons. Unfold the ribbons before cooking.

Cooking the Pasta

Fresh pasta needs four minutes, as opposed to durum pasta. Cook in salted water, then drain.

Fresh Pasta

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Posted in: Main Dish

Cuisines: Italian

• Prep Time : 45 min
• Cook Time : 5 min
• Ready Time : 50 min

Servings

2 portions

Ingredients

• 100 grams all purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. On a clean work surface, pour the flour and collect it into a tall mound.
2. Make a depression in the center of the mound all the way down to the work surface.
3. Crack the egg into a glass and check for blood spots. Pour the egg into the depression.
4. With a fork, whisk the egg in a circular motion, incorporating flour into the mixture.
5. When the egg is absorbed, continue to mix in the flour until the dough comes together.
6. Knead the dough by hand for ten minutes, until dough is firm and smooth.
7. Cover in plastic wrap and allow to relax for 30 minutes.
8. Lightly flour a clean work surface.
9. Roll out the dough to desired thickness.
10. Cut the dough into desired pasta shapes.
11. Boil pasta for 3-4 minutes until al dente.

Nutritional Information

Fresh Pasta

Servings Per Recipe: 2 portions

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 218

• Total Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 93mg
• Sodium: 114mg
• Total Carbs: 38.3g
•     Dietary Fiber: 1.4g
• Protein: 8.3g

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