I’ve got four very loud children here this morning so I’m jumping on the computer before the Minecraft fest begins…..

Making Pasta

Pasta is pretty popular in this house and when my friend, Mel, said that she had a pasta machine that had been redundant since she got it 10 years ago I felt it was time to borrow it and put it to good use.

Teenboy was keen to help so we went for it.

The pasta was made with 6 eggs and 600g of 00 flour in the magimix then rested for about 45 minutes. I think the traditional way is to mix it on the bunker (worksurface) with your hands – the magimix was fast and efficient.

The pasta needs to go through the machine lots of times to get it thinner and thinner and it gets longer and longer each time.  We had it with fresh pesto – it was gorgeous, the jury is out on the actual pasta.  We did not hang the pasta out to dry at all, I am not sure if that’s crucial or not.  It was hard to know when it was cooked too.  Teenboy is up for making more with the spaghetti cutters  to see if we can perfect the process. He got really into making sure it was thin enough and even, he was chief roller.

If you are inspired to have a go and use the pasta machine that you have been keeping safe and sound in the cupboard for years then here’s how to do it.

 

 

 

 

The pesto was half a small packet of pine nuts, toasted in a pan, a big handful of basil, a clove of garlic, a big glug of olive oil and about 30g of parmesan type cheese. I did use the pestle and mortar to crush the pine nuts then a stick blender to whizz the pesto together.

 

Does anyone know about the hanging out stage?  I wonder if it is only necessary if you are not using the pasta immediately or if you should always do it.  The only thing I have to hang it on is the clothes dryer with tea towels on it – I might try that next time.

 

Car spotting is a bit of a habit of mine –  here’s one I saw in town the other day, It’s very similar to my sister’s old car that took me to my wedding.  Gotta love a Mini.

In my other life I have a fleet of vintage cars and someone to look after them for me, my only choice is which one to drive each day….