Summertime means lots of pasta dishes. Who doesn’t love a plate of freshly made pasta? Have you ever thought about ditching the store-bought box of pasta and making your own? If so, then this article is for you! Join us in learning all about . We’ll go over the basics of making fresh pasta, including necessary ingredients, steps for making the dough and creating various pasta shapes. A delicious, homemade meal is right around the corner.
1. Preparing the Dough
Making pasta dough is an essential step to a perfect plate of pasta. Here are the steps and ingredients you’ll need:
- Flour: We recommend a sturdy, high protein content flour like an Italian “00” (doppio zero) grade, about 2 cups.
- Salt: We recommend a fine sea salt for the best flavor, about 1 tsp.
- Eggs: We recommend 2-3 eggs or up to 0.5 cups of egg substitute, depending on your pasta style and preference.
- Semolina: For added flavor and texture, try adding one or two tbsp. of semolina flour to your pasta dough.
- Water: We recommend adding tap water as needed to bring your dough together. Start with a few tablespoons, mixing and adding as needed.
Making the dough is easy:
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt and semolina, if using. Make a well in the center and add your egg or egg substitute.
- Using a fork, mix and incorporate the egg into the rest of the dry ingredients until all is combined.
- Adding water a few tablespoons at a time, mix the dough until it’s smooth and all the ingredients are fully incorporated. If the dough is too wet, add a little more flour. If too dry, add a tablespoon of water.
- Knead the dough until it’s soft, smooth and supple. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Now your pasta dough is ready to roll! Be sure to cover the dough with a light cloth so as not to dry it out. To make sure it is not too wet or starter adding oil when you store it blanket to use it for later.
2. Kneading and Shaping the Pasta
Now that the dough is ready, it’s time to work it into the shape of the desired pasta. Kneading is vital for proper texture of the pasta, especially if it is to be used for a lasagna dish.
- Knead for 5 minutes or until dough becomes smooth and elastic. A bench scraper can be useful for this.
- Divide the dough into 4 parts. This will make it easier to roll it out.
- Roll each part into a thin sheet. If using a rolling pin, start at the center and move outwards. Use a pasta machine to ensure an even thickness.
In addition to kneading and rolling out the dough, if a knife is used, the rolls can be cut into desired shapes such as linguine, pappardelle, or fettuccine. A ravioli cutter can be used to cut out individual ravioli, or even mini ravioli. There is also the option of using a rolling cutter for linguine and pappardelle.
- For linguine and pappardelle, use a rolling cutter. Start from the top of the dough and move downwards. Roll the cutter back and forth several times to get the desired width and thickness of the noodles.
- For fettuccine, use a pasta cutter or a knife. With a pasta cutter, move from the center outward. The size of the pieces will vary depending on the desired thickness of the pasta.
- For ravioli, use either a ravioli cutter or a knife. Ravioli should be cut similarly to fettuccine, however, they should be smaller and thicker.
Once the desired shape is achieved, the pasta can be cooked. It is important to remember to lightly flour the pasta so it doesn’t stick together. The dough can be dried and stored for up to a few weeks. Alternatively, the dough can be frozen for up to six months.
3. Cooking the Pasta
Now that the proper dough has been worked together and left to rest, it’s time to get to the most exciting part of the pasta process: the actual cooking of the pasta!
1. Roll Out Dough & Cut Noodles
- Remove dough from rest and knead a few times on a work surface.
- Roll out dough either with a rolling pin, pasta machine or a pasta press.
- Once desired thickness is reached, cut into noodles of the desired size.
2. Boiling the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the freshly cut pasta noodles to the boiling water and stir gently, to ensure that all noodles are separated.
- Let cook for 3-5 minutes, or until al dente.
- Drain the noodles and add them to the sauce of your choice.
With just a few simple steps of rolling out the pasta dough, and the proper technique for boiling your noodles, you’ve taken your pasta-making skills to the next level. Enjoy!
4. Creating the Perfect Sauce
Once you’ve prepared the perfect dough, it’s time to move on to the sauce! A good sauce can complement the flavors of your dish and help you take it to a whole new level. Here are a few tips for without sacrificing taste:
- Start with the basics: The foundation of your sauce should be high-quality ingredients, including extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. This helps create an aromatic base that can stand the test of time.
- Experiment with flavors: You’ll want to explore and experiment with different flavors. For example, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes and a touch of oregano can create a unique, bold flavor. Or, try adding some white wine, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese for a light, tangy flavor.
- Increase the depth: To increase the depth of the sauce, cook the ingredients in a cast-iron skillet. This helps to caramelize the flavors and create a savory, complex flavor.
- Add a finishing touch: Once the sauce is cooked, add a few tablespoons of butter to finish it off. This touches up the flavors and creates a velvety texture that’ll take your pasta dish to the next level.
takes time and patience, but it’s well worth the effort. By combining simple ingredients and experimenting with different flavors, you can make a sauce that’ll stand the test of time. With a few helpful tips, you can craft a pasta dish that will please even the toughest of critics!
5. Presenting Your Delicious Dish
Step 1: Rolling Out the Dough
Making your own pasta from scratch is one of the best ways to maximize flavor and texture. After combining all of the ingredients, you will want to knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. To roll out the dough, use a stand mixer with a pasta rolling attachment and a wood rolling pin, or a hand-cranked pasta maker that clamps onto the edge of any countertop. As you roll the dough, it will become more and more thin. Keep an eye out for any air bubbles that form, which can make for an uneven surface and inconsistent texture.
Step 2: Cutting the Dough
Once the dough is as thin as you desire, its time to start cutting it into the desired shapes. With the help of a sharp knife and ruler, you can easily cut the dough into strips or shapes like fettuccine, pappardelle, rigatoni, and more. Make sure to check the thickness of the dough as you go, and cut with one swift motion.
Step 3: Cooking the Pasta
Now that your pasta is cut and ready to go, it’s time to cook it. Boil a pot of salted water and then add the pasta. After the water comes back up to a boil and the pasta is done cooking, it’s ready to serve. The timing of the pasta boil can vary, so make sure to check the texture of the pasta as you go.
Step 4: Saucing the Pasta
The last step in preparing your delicious dish is to add some sauce! There are so many wonderful options out there, like classic tomato sauce or creamy alfredo. Experiment to find what suits your palate. Once you’ve chosen a sauce, coat the cooked and drained pasta in the sauce and toss to combine.
Step 5: !
The final step is to plate your pasta creation! Before serving, make sure to garnish with your favorite toppings like Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs. And that’s it! You’ve now completed your delicious pasta dish. Enjoy! Though pasta making can seem intimidating, we hope this article gave you the confidence to try out making a batch of your own. If you follow the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be sure to be well on your way to creating the perfect pasta dish of your own. So roll up your sleeves, get out your advice, and have fun making pasta!
