Fresh Pasta Dough

Fresh Pasta Dough
Recipe adapted from Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant in New Orleans

For our Italian Night dinner, I thought we should make our own fresh pasta. Pasta dough is really easy to make and there is nothing like the taste of fresh pasta. I also wanted to get the kids into the kitchen by getting them to roll out the pasta themselves. My friend's children, Ryan and Jasmine were very excited and got the hang of it really quickly. They became pasta rolling experts in no time. They were so good in fact, that I was able to sit back with a glass of wine and just supervise. I can definitely get used to having sous chefs around. :) Enjoy!

Thank you Jasmine and Ryan for being the best sous chefs. Next post: the bolognese sauce.

Serves: 6

Ingredients :
2 cups semolina flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs, well beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
1. Combine the semolina flour, all purpose flour and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, mix these ingredients together, then using a sifter, sift into another bowl. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs & beat well with a fork.

3. Add olive oil to the eggs and mix with a fork.

4. Pour the liquid ingredients into your mixer bowl and attach the flat beater.

5. Add half of the sifted flour mixture, turn to speed 2 and mix 20seconds. Add the rest of the sifted flour mixture and mix an additional 20 seconds.

6. Exchange flat beater for the dough hook. Turn to speed 2 and knead for 2 to 3 minutes, until a dough ball is formed.

7. Remove dough from bowl and hand-knead for 2 to 3 minutes. The pasta should be elastic and pliable, not sticky. Test for the correct consistency,by pinching a small amount of dough together after kneading, if the dough stays together without sticking to your fingers or falling apart, it should work well. If too soft, add more flour by dusting the top of the dough and knead some more, continuing to dust the dough with flour until achieving the right consistency. If too dry, wet your hands and knead some more, continuing to wet your hands a little at a time; knead until the right consistency.

8. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour.

9. Remove dough from refrigerator and let it rest for 15 minutes. Using your hands, roll dough into a log, about 12 inches long.

10. Cut log into 8 slices, then flatten each piece slightly. Spread slices out so they aren't touching and cover with plastic wrap.

11. Proceed to roll the dough according to your pasta roller directions.

32 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

Love the pics of the cute sous chefs! The pasta looks perfect!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

There's nothing like fresh pasta! Yours look beautiful!

Cheers,

Rosa

Priya Suresh said...

Nothing will be prefet like fresh pastas na! very great job!

Donna-FFW said...

Your little ones are adorable. The fresh pasta looks great. I haveto get myself one of those pasta makers.

JodieMo said...

Oh man, I love fresh pasta. Unfortunately I think my little sous chefs would not do near as well as yours. Mine would have it smooshed in the floor with a toy train running through it. Maybe soon one day though. :)

maybelle's mom said...

Oh, I love fresh pasta. Especially when i have lots of help in the kitchen.

Angry Asian said...

is there a way you could send those great sous chefs my way? :) i think it's wonderful that they were so enthused about making this and i am incredibly impressed with how gorgeous your pasta turned out.

Creative Classroom Core said...

Ive been wanting to try this - such fun! Looks like you guys had a blast!

Debbie said...

I have never made homemade pasta but fresh pasta is just sooo delicious! I need to try sometime......

Deeba PAB said...

AWWW...they are GREAT kids paula. Look what fun they've had!!! I just love this post! There's sunshine all over it. xoxoox

Patsyk said...

they did a FANTASTIC job on the pasta! I need to get my kids in on the pasta making action!

pigpigscorner said...

That's so fun! I can't wait to get my hands on a pasta machine.

NKP said...

There is nothing like fresh pasta, so delicious!
Great that the kids love to help out in the kitchen, the little one makes a great pasta rack. Can you dry laundry on him too? ;-)

Kerstin said...

What cute helpers! I'm so impressed you made your own pasta - it looks great!

Soma said...

I have never made pasta at home. Good looking kids with gorgeous pasta!

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

I adore your pasta dough photos and you've excellent helpers ;) nothing beat than fresh pasta and ....with bolognese sauce is heavenly!!

Cheers!

Gera

Maria said...

Fresh pasta is the best! We make it all of the time!

Anonymous said...

Ha, what a clever way to dry the pasta, and to think I was going to go out and buy a pasta-drying rack, when I've got a boyfriend with perfectly good arms...thanks for the inspiration!

veggievixen said...

i'm so jealous of your pasta maker! i've been wanting to experiment with different kinds of pasta lately but don't really have the means to. great post!

La Bella Cooks said...

Nothing beats fresh pasta and I love the whole process of making it.

Memória said...

Oh, I love homemade pasta! I made my first batch not too long ago, and I can't wait to do it again. I may have to get a pasta roller myself. I didn't know they were so affordable.

Your helpers did a great job!

Elin Chia said...

I think I want to try this out one day. Have to get a pasta roller first :) Thanks for sharing the recipe. My Piggies will definitely love this fresh pasta!

friedwontons4u said...

Your post just makes me want to give pasta making one more try!

Jeff said...

Any cooking adventure you can get slave labor is a great day for cooking. Especially if it involves pasta making. I got a KA pasta maker for xmas but it has stayed on top of the fridge tempting me. Going to have to step up and give this a shot.

Nicely done as always!

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

Your pasta looks fantastic! Love the little chefs in the kitchen, looks like they were having a great time too!

Lo said...

It's really true. NOTHING beats fresh pasta. This looks so delicious. Makes me want to run home and make some of my own!!

Peter M said...

You're a wonderful Auntie and indeed, nothing better than fresh pasta and to have young'uns hang-dry it for you too!

Amanda @ Mrs.W's Kitchen said...

Fantastic! There's something wonderful about getting kids interested in cooking. Well done.

Susan said...

Gorgeous! Looks like flowing golden hair. Kids are cuties, too.

Jamie said...

Love when kids help to cook and love doing it! That is beautiful pasta!

Mamaliga said...

Isn't fresh pasta delicious and fun to make?? I just made a batch and posted about it also -
The thing I am after is getting the best free range eggs I could possibly find. Also using 6 yolks plus 1 whole egg to the approximately 4-1/2 cups of flour (half semolina, half all-purpose)

Cheers!
Gabi @ Mamaliga

Dazy said...

Since you already know, I like your recipes, just wanted to tell you that I made this dish last week and it was amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe, it is one we will be enjoying again and again!

 
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