Pasta Mama

Ja gave me a pasta maker for my birthday. He thought it would be fun to make together and it is, although quite messy. At least it's messy when Macy and Anna are helping. Since making the dough, rolling it out, cutting it, drying it, and cooking it takes a few hours (again, at least with kids helping) it won't be something we do every time we want pasta but it will be a special treat. There is a noticeable taste and texture difference that makes it delicious. Luckily this recipe makes enough for dinner and then lunch the next day. Now I have these great memories of making pasta with my family!

Traditional Pasta Dough

2 cups all purpose flour                       1  cup semolina flour

1 tsp salt                                              3 eggs, plus 3 additional egg yolks

2 tbsp olive oil                                    1/2 cup water (use as needed)

• Form a mound with the flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the mound.
• Add the eggs and oil into the well. Using a fork, mix the dry and liquid ingredients by dragging the dry ingredients into the center. Keep doing this until you have formed a sticky dough ball. Add water as needed, the dough should have soft texture. It should be moist but not stick to your fingers. 
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• On a floured surface, knead the dough ball. Repeat until dough is smooth, elastic, even in color and no longer sticky. 
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• Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Set dough aside to rest for 15-30 minutes.

Pasta flour does give it a different flavor. Buy it!

 First, roll out the dough into thin sheets. We have to roll it through the pasta press a few times to make sure it's thin enough. Flour is your friend! Also be sure the edge you put into the press is cut straight.

 The more flour the better here. I found it best to dust the pieces on each side then let them rest on wax paper.

We had a homemade pasta drier. Hangers on the chandelier did the trick.

Anna was so happy to help!

Macy catching the pasta

Enjoying our delicious homemade pasta! I made a sauce for it too which as delicious too. The next day I only put melted butter and parmesan cheese on it and we liked that best!