If you've got a little more time on your hands as of late and are spending more time at home, why not try making fresh pasta?
With just a few ingredients needed and only a small selection of equipment, everyone can have a go. Whether it's linguine or ravioli, you can have fresh pasta whenever you want it - and it's also a great way to entertain the kids (or the big kids) on a weekend.
Pasta dough recipe
Ingredients (serves 6)
6.large eggs
- '00' / Doppio Zero flour (Available from Waitrose and Sainsbury's)
Method
- Place the flour in a bowl (or on a board, if you prefer). Make a well in the centre and crack in your eggs, beating them with a fork.
- Use your hands to mix the eggs with the flour, incorporating a small amount at a time. It should start to resemble a dough.
- Knead the dough until it becomes one large piece of dough. If you have a food processor, you can add your ingredients and mix until it has a breadcrumb consistency.
- Continue kneading the dough until it feels smooth and soft. If it feels floury or bumpy, keep kneading.
- Then, you'll need to pop it in the fridge to rest for at least 30 minutes. Wrap it in cling film to ensure it doesn't dry out (don't let there be any gaps!).
Now, it's time to roll and cut. Follow the instructions on your chosen pasta cutter or roller to create the shape that you want.
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Top tips for pasta rolling
- Split your dough into smaller pieces rather than trying to roll one large piece.
- Dust your work surface with '00' flour and continue to dust the pasta with flour if it's too sticky.
- Ensure your pasta roller is properly attached to your chosen work surface.
- Roll your pasta dough through your machine a few of times to make it even silkier.
- Cut or shape your pasta as soon as possible to stop it from drying out. You can rest a damp, clean tea towel on top if you need a little more time.
Best pasta making appliances
Pasta making equipment
1 of 6Lakeland Silver Pasta Making Machine
Become a pro at making Italian-style pasta with this nifty pasta machine. It transforms your homemade dough into perfectly rolled strips of fresh tagliatelle, sheets of lasagne, strands of spaghetti or linguine. It looks great in stainless steel and comes with a clamp to lock it to your work surface.
2 of 64 PCS Ravioli Cutter Stamp Set
If you'd prefer to get back to basics and cut your pasta by hand, this set of four cutters will suit you perfectly. They're made from oak and stainless steel and can be used for pasta, as well as baking - bonus.
3 of 6Collapsible Fresh Pasta Drying Rack
Once you've cut your pasta into the shape you want, use this rack to dry it out. If you're using your pasta straight away, let it dry for 1-2 minutes, dusting it with flour so the strands don't stick together. If you're making pasta for later, let it dry for 30 minutes, wrap and refrigerate. Use within two days.
4 of 6Vel. Professional Stainless Steel Dough Pastry Cutter Scraper
This professional baking tool can also be used to cut pasta efficiently. We enjoy its ergonomic design, and although it's pricey, it's built to last.
5 of 6anmas power Manual Pasta Machine
A pasta machine for those on a budget, this stainless steel manual pasta maker works for rigatoni and noodles, but can also be used to squeeze your morning orange juice.
£15.99
6 of 6Mastering Pasta: The Art and Practice of Handmade Pasta, Gnocchi, and Risotto
Want to keep honing your skills and learning more? We love this guide from Marc Vetri.
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Jade Moscrop is a Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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