January 3, 2010

The Best Christmas Present Ever


Happy New Year!  I’m sure that many of you have made resolutions that range from getting in shape to spending more time with friends and family, or just taking time every day for yourself.  But I submit for you another resolution to think about – cooking at home at least 4 nights a week.  It may seem like a lot, but one of the reasons I started this blog was to inspire others to cook as much as I do, especially if they have more space than I do.  I hope that you can find the inspiration here to get right to your kitchen and whip up something simple and delicious.  My own resolution?  To be better about writing up every new meal I make on my hotplate. 


So back to business.  For Christmas this year, Sam received a hand crank pasta maker, which quite possibly may have just changed my life!  He made fresh pasta for me one night this week which was a huge treat.  Not only was it an exceptionally satisfying process for him, the end product looked so professional – I would have sworn he had just gone down the street to Murray’s a bought fresh fettuccini, if he didn’t take pictures to prove it!  Paired with my Simple Pasta Sauce, this meal was an all-around satisfying feast.

Sam’s Fresh Fettuccini
Makes about ¾ lb or enough to serve 3-4 people

Ingredients
 
3 eggs
2 ¼ c. flour
pinch of salt

Directions

The whole process will take a little over an hour, minus the cooking.
In a large glass bowl, add the flour and create a well for the eggs.  Quickly whisk the eggs then pour them into the well.  Combine the flour and eggs and as soon as it starts sticking together, knead the dough until it is no longer sticky.  

Wrap the ball in plastic and let it sit on the counter for 20-25 minutes.  Split the dough in half and roll each ball through the pasta maker on the widest setting at least 3 times.  Continue rolling the dough through at least 2 times at each successive setting until you get to your desired thickness.  Finally roll the dough through the cutting attachment and let the pasta dry on the counter for 15 minutes.  




Store the pasta in a container until ready to use, and add a little flour so the strands do not stick to each other.  When ready to eat, boil a pot of salted water and add the pasta.  It will cook very quickly so be sure to check the pasta at 2 minutes for doneness, it should not take much more than that. 





1 comment:

  1. I love your blog! and I love pasta, this looks delicious! I went to Bates too-I wanted to go to that event to hear you speak, but was unable to. I also have a cooking blog, just started it.
    www.thesingledish.com

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