Is it just another machine to end up in a cupboard
Discussion
Need some advise please Guy's, and especially Girls!
My son brought my wife a pasta machine for Christmas, well we tried home made pasta for the first time tonight and it was OK.
Whilst the flavour was good the texture when cooked well, could be improved.
So my questions are:-
Once you have made the basic pasta dough,
Do you have to leave it to prove? if so for how long?
Does the proved (unproved) dough require kneading?
Is it best not to work to dough too much, like pastry?
Any advice would be gratefully welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I'm really looking forward to the next one
(I think).
Big Al.
My son brought my wife a pasta machine for Christmas, well we tried home made pasta for the first time tonight and it was OK.
Whilst the flavour was good the texture when cooked well, could be improved.
So my questions are:-
Once you have made the basic pasta dough,
Do you have to leave it to prove? if so for how long?
Does the proved (unproved) dough require kneading?
Is it best not to work to dough too much, like pastry?
Any advice would be gratefully welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I'm really looking forward to the next one
(I think). Big Al.
In answer to your topic header - yes!
Freshly made pasta tastes great - trouble is it's a pain to do, easy to screw up, and supermarkets (or better, decent delis) do pretty good fresh pasta for not very much money
I think you've gotta really want to do it......
Must put mine (also unwanted present) up for sale on Ebay
Freshly made pasta tastes great - trouble is it's a pain to do, easy to screw up, and supermarkets (or better, decent delis) do pretty good fresh pasta for not very much money
I think you've gotta really want to do it......
Must put mine (also unwanted present) up for sale on Ebay
Put 300g tipo 00 Italian flour (or strong white bread flour) and three small eggs in a food processor with a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture forms sticky crumbs.
Remove the blade then gather the crumbs up with your hand. On a floured surface, bring the mixture together to form a soft dough.
Knead for 5 minutes then wrap in plastic film and chill for 30-60 minutes. This resting is crucial and will help prevent the pasta tearing when you go to roll it out.
Cut the dough into four and work with one piece at a time. Roll each piece through the pasta machine, dusting lighting with flour when necessary and going down a setting each time.
If you are filling the pasta you will need to go down to the thinnest setting and should use the pasta as soon as it is ready. If you are making strands, leave the sheets of dough on flour-dusted tea towels for 30 minutes to dry out before cutting.
Hope this helps
Edited to add: Yes it will end up in a cupboard
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 00:33
Remove the blade then gather the crumbs up with your hand. On a floured surface, bring the mixture together to form a soft dough.
Knead for 5 minutes then wrap in plastic film and chill for 30-60 minutes. This resting is crucial and will help prevent the pasta tearing when you go to roll it out.
Cut the dough into four and work with one piece at a time. Roll each piece through the pasta machine, dusting lighting with flour when necessary and going down a setting each time.
If you are filling the pasta you will need to go down to the thinnest setting and should use the pasta as soon as it is ready. If you are making strands, leave the sheets of dough on flour-dusted tea towels for 30 minutes to dry out before cutting.
Hope this helps
Edited to add: Yes it will end up in a cupboard
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 00:33
No worries,
There's something about home made pasta, tastes a tad bit nicer than the manufactured stuff if you get it right. And if you add different seasonings and spices to it while it's mixing it can do wonders on your tastebuds.
Now.......home made Ravioli MMMmmmm, so many combinations, there is one that I have perfected in a few months which goes well with a stir fry 
mmmMMMMmmm,
but that's a secret
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 00:55
There's something about home made pasta, tastes a tad bit nicer than the manufactured stuff if you get it right. And if you add different seasonings and spices to it while it's mixing it can do wonders on your tastebuds.
Now.......home made Ravioli
MMMmmmm, so many combinations, there is one that I have perfected in a few months which goes well with a stir fry mmmMMMMmmm, but that's a secret
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 00:55
Mad Jock, the ready made/dried stuff is good, after all it is pasta. But if you make your own you can add spices to suit what your having with it to make the pasta more interesting and the meal more appealing to you or whoever you're cooking for, it's special, and great for a wife/girlfriend as it's not 'off-the-shelf'.
Paws, Cheers
I love cooking I really do, and despite what people say about Jamie Oliver he is still a superb chef, him and Gary Rhodes are my favorites.
The pukka tukka video is great, the start is showing that you can make a wicked meal in less time than the equivalent which you bung in the micro. If you can stand his voice (I have no problems with it) then the video and himself are great.
*Gracefully Bows*
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 01:22
Paws, Cheers
I love cooking I really do, and despite what people say about Jamie Oliver he is still a superb chef, him and Gary Rhodes are my favorites. The pukka tukka video is great, the start is showing that you can make a wicked meal in less time than the equivalent which you bung in the micro. If you can stand his voice (I have no problems with it) then the video and himself are great.
*Gracefully Bows*
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 01:22
ahh... the enthusiasm of youth..
Graham.J said: if you make your own you can add spices to suit what your having with it to make the pasta more interesting and the meal more appealing to you or whoever you're cooking for, it's special, and great for a wife/girlfriend as it's not 'off-the-shelf'.
CarZee said:ahh... the enthusiasm of youth..
Graham.J said: if you make your own you can add spices to suit what your having with it to make the pasta more interesting and the meal more appealing to you or whoever you're cooking for, it's special, and great for a wife/girlfriend as it's not 'off-the-shelf'.
oh such youth,where has mine gone
Bodo said: CarZee, I've watched several times that you're grouping the younger PHers. Mate, you're getting old!
I think you're right Bodo, although when it comes to cooking, I'm sure there isn't many 16 year old boys who like cooking.
CZ, getting old happens to all of us, but at your ripe old age you start to notice it a bit more
Ooh me back!!...fetch the Werther's Originals dear boy.....now where did I put my slippers. I thought girls liked men who cook but I'm yet to find one who does.
The deciding factor on what house I buy will be the size of the kitchen and how many garages it has
>> Edited by Graham.J on Sunday 19th January 01:45
Graham.J said:
I think you're right Bodo, although when it comes to cooking, I'm sure there isn't many 16 year old boys who like cooking.
Yes, that's right; I haven't seen many; however when I was 16, I've only cooked in order to create a mess in the kitchen
I thought girls liked men who cook but I'm yet to find one who does.
It's not the first thing, they're looking for, but when the relationship is established, they'll well like it.
Graham.J said: I thought girls liked men who cook but I'm yet to find one who does.
You're not looking in the right places, Graham.
Women love men who cook for them, trust me on this one!! And if they wash up as well - even better! 
Me, I'm a lousy cook. If I ever invite you to dinner, check first that I've picked a decent takeaway....
SGirl said:You're not looking in the right places, Graham.
There is a downside to this - once they learn you CAN cook you can expect to do so for the rest of your relationship - if they learn you do the washing up at least you can get a dishwasher
ncs said: Al
Take my advice, hide the pasta machine somewhere & only bring it out when your son comes to visit.
In the meantime, take that lovely lady of yours out for an Italian meal every now & again...she bought you a TVR & I think she deserves it.
You know it makes sense.
Nick
Hi Nick, great to hear from you. Top Man!
Miggy sends her love.
Trouble is she happens to be one of the best cooks I know,
and if I keep having to take her out for meals then it would seriously dent the Chim budget. So the pasta machine stays (short term).
BTW.
Miggy asks
Did you give any more thoughts to the Leeds Castle get together?
Also, sorry to hear about your window, what a bummer in this weather!
I've got a Bible, do you want me to have a read up for ya?
Speak to you soon, and hope the get the window sorted.
Best Regards,
Big Al.
PS What's happening in your neck of the woods? Keep me informed!
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