Monday, September 1, 2008

Making Fresh Pasta

My latest kitchen tool is a pasta maker. One of my goals for retirement was to make fresh pasta. I have watched many a chef make pasta and it seemed so easy. And it is! I followed the recipe that came with the pasta maker - 2 cups flour and 2 eggs. After letting the dough rest, I divided it into 4 pieces. The hardest part was finding a place to mount the pasta maker. Running the dough through the machine was quite simple. The first batch was for experimenting with the machine. It took a few tries before I realized that the larger number, 6, on the pasta maker was the narrowest setting. So for the second batch, I used the largest setting, 1, and worked down to 6. With the fettucine cutting attachment, I made some wonderful strands of pasta. I lightly floured the dough to keep it from sticking together while I started the water boiling and made the sauce.
With no plan for the sauce, I looked to the garden for inspiration and found 2 of my favorite ingredients, fresh tomatoes and basil.

Garden Fresh Tomatoes and Pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup white wine
3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
Fresh pasta

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add garlic and onions and cook until onions are tender. Add wine and tomatoes and cook on medium high for 5 minutes. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for 3 minutes or until al dente. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, and stir in basil and mozzarella. Simmer until the mozzarella begins to melt.

Pour into a serving bowl and top with grated Parmesan and garnish with basil. Serves 2.

11 comments:

  1. I want to come play pasta maker with you one day!

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  2. I keep cruisin' the aisles at Amazon - virtual anyway! checkin' out the pasta machines. What brand/model did you get?

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  3. I keep asking for a pasta maker for my birthday - I never get one. Might have to make it a present to myself! That looks lovely.

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  4. http://lnt.imageg.net/graphics/coupon/LNT_082808_emailcpn_20offsgl.pdf
    I have an Imperia from Linens and Things. It retails for $39.95, but you can get a 20% discount with the coupon linked above.

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  5. Nothing beats the taste of fresh pasta, and to pair it with your fresh sauce, I know it was a delicious experience! Great job, and thanks for visiting my blog Susan, nice blog you have here!

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  6. Just found your nice blog! I love fresh pasta and this looks delicious. Your fashion show video is hysterical!

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  8. Wow!! So many fresh vegetables! Looks great!

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  9. You've made me want to dust off my pasta maker which, shamefully, is under the counter in an out-of-the-way cabinet. I love fresh pasta, especially fettuccine, and used to make it often. I'm retired, too, so why am I hiding this wonderful toy??

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  10. What a delicious and healthy looking pasta dish. Anything made fresh, like your pasta is so much better for you I think. Is it difficult to make your own pasta? I'd love to try. Thanks for the recipe.

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