Pasta maker - great idea or never use more than twice?

Pasta maker - great idea or never use more than twice?

Author
Discussion

paolow

Original Poster:

3,208 posts

257 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Hi all,

I was asked what I wanted for Christmas and at the back of my mind I have always wanted to try making pasta using one of those metal machines you can get off Amazon for £20 - £30.
However - the flip side of course is that you can already get 'fresh' pasta in supermarkets a lot cheaper and easier than going through the whole rigmarole of making it - so is homemade significantly 'better' than shop bought? - or am I setting myself up for disappointment?
Also - I suppose I will need one if I get it - has anyone got a foolproof pasta recipe?
Thanks!

RonJohnson

341 posts

170 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Received one for Christmas a few years ago after fancying one for a while. Used once. Given away last year.

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Making pasta doesn't take that long and isn't hard at all, mix eggs and flour. With a bit of practice its rather easy but is a tad messy.

Fresh pasta is far better than anything ready made you can buy, I don't make it as often as I used too as ive cut down on the carbs I eat.

My pasta maker is one of those things that is sitting in a cupboard not used very often.

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
This might be a good place for a question, if I make a lasagne and want to use freshly made pasta for the sheets how does the recipe differ if at all? ive only ever made it using dried pasta.

markoc

1,084 posts

195 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Mine doesn't get used that often, but the results are fantastic - and it really doesn't take long. It doesn't take much space either.

Go for it!

arfur

3,871 posts

213 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Foliage said:
This might be a good place for a question, if I make a lasagne and want to use freshly made pasta for the sheets how does the recipe differ if at all? ive only ever made it using dried pasta.
Make the filling with less sauce. Fresh pasta does not soak up sauce as dried does, it just sticks to it

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Never used mine!

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Never used mine!

krallicious

4,312 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Conversely, I used mine so much that I broke the bloody thing. Hopefully getting a new one for Christmas.

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

144 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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I've got one, only used it a few times, I'd like to use it more but it's quite time consuming and that is something I don't have a lot of these days.

For making your own ravioli, tortellini, etc. it can't be beaten. Great to experiment with different fillings. Covered in quite a few of the Jamie Oliver books along with recipes etc.

When I have a bit more time for cooking I'll be revisiting it.

21TonyK

11,494 posts

208 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Have to admit mine hasnt been used for a long time but thats down to a lack of time over the past year or two.

But, making your own pasta is very simple, takes minutes and doesnt have to make a mess.

100g strong plain bread flour (you can use 000 or even 0000 but tbh??)
1 egg
pinch salt

Mix is all in a bowl, sprinkle with cold water if it needs it. Wrap in cling and leave in the fridge for half an hour. Form into a sausage and run through the machine on its thickest setting. Fold over and repeat a couple of times. Keep doing this turning down one setting at a time until you reach the thickness you want. I have a 4" paintbrush for dusting with flour if needed. None of this half a pound of flour flying around mess.

Thanks it.

If you are doing a filled pasta then remove half the egg white and add an extra egg yolk to the mix as this makes it a stronger pasta.

For colour add saffron water, tomato puree or pureed spinach.

aberdeeneuan

1,339 posts

177 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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I love mine, but don't use it that often. It's a weekend thing for me, get the kids to help and totally cheat and use the magimix to make the dough.

It's very therapeutic and does taste so much better than anything you can buy. I've never made filled pasta with it, usually just stick to tagliatelle.

paolow

Original Poster:

3,208 posts

257 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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Thanks guys - I probably will end up going for it and getting one - its not the end of the world if it only gets used a handful of times I suppose. Thanks also for the recipes! I like the idea also of freezing the dough ball - could the finished product also be frozen or does that defeat the object?

tuffer

8,849 posts

266 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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I love mine and use it all the time. If you are getting a manual one then make sure you have a suitable place where you can firmly clamp it to the side board, winding whilst trying to feed in pasta is hard enough with the thing moving around as well. I have one that connects to my Kitchen Aid so leaving both hands free to deal with unwieldy pasta sheets.

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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love mine, doesn't get used enough, but then I didn't pay the full price so don't care.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Imperia-Italian-Double-Cut...

with some extra toys.

Think I got it for £20 from another person who thought they would use it, they never took it out of the box.

condor

8,837 posts

247 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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I go through phases of using it. Have a pasta drying rack as well smile
Currently neither been used in the last 4 years or so.

H_Kan

4,942 posts

198 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
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I've had mine for a year and probably used it around 8-10 times.

Fresh homemade pasta is a real treat and whilst ravioli etc is a bit time consuming, it's worth the effort. Not to mention that you pay £10-15 a plate for a few pieces in a restaurant, yet can easily make as good, if not better, at home.

The Imperia one linked above is deff. the one to go for. I read a lot of reviews of cheaper ones and people complained that they broke or weren't sturdy enough, whereas the Imperia is a joy to use and feels noticeable sturdier then others I've seen in the shops.

If you want to do ravioli, then get a ravioli tray from Lakeland too, makes it much easier then doing them individually by hand.