Homemade Pasta

By ERIN TURNER

I have fond memories of helping my mom make homemade pasta when I was young.  So when I was treasure-hunting at a thrift store and came upon a pasta maker just like my mom’s, I knew what my next culinary adventure was going to entail.

I have to admit I’m pretty good at getting a pound of pasta for well under a dollar at the grocery store and even free at times with the right coupons.  So, my desire to make pasta was not rooted in frugality.  Rather it was more an aspiration to teach my boys how their much-loved noodles are made and to add this pantry staple to my growing list of “purely homemade”.

My youngest son, Gus not only likes the taste, he likes making homemade pasta!

But in the end, making my own noodles IS frugal and an item which would be super easy to make in bulk or make as needed.  Whatever way you decide works for you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the literal pennies it takes to make pasta!

My family loves their noodles.  Not only with their spaghetti sauce but plain with just butter or ghee is the favorite version.  My kids eat noodles with their lunch, dinner and snacks.   So having a supply in the pantry is an absolute must for me.

With such a love affair for their noodles, I wasn’t sure how the boys would take to my homemade noodles.   After the first couple of bites and some contemplation, they all decided they liked the noodles a lot!  Whew, that is always good news for me when I am excited about something new to add to our menu.

So, here is the recipe I used.  I did use the fancy-smancy noodle maker but it would be just as easy to roll it out with a rolling pin to the desired thickness, then roll it up and cut it into strips.   Also, I’m anxious to do some variations with the dough…like adding fresh herbs, spinach and even trying it with some whole wheat flour.  The possibilities are endless!

Homemade Pasta Noodles

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tsp cooking oil or olive oil

In a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups of the flour and salt.  Make a well in the center of the dry mixture.  In a small mixing bowl combine eggs, water and oil.  Add to dry mixture; mix well.

“Yeah, I made that!” Fresh homemade pasta!

Sprinkle kneading surface with the remaining flour.  Turn dough out onto floured surface.  Knead till dough is smoth and elastic (8-10 minutes total).  Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions.  On lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12-inch square (about 1/16 inch thick).  Let stand uncovered for about 20 minutes.  Cut as desired.  If using a pasta machine, pass each portion through machine according to manufacturer’s directions till dough is 1/16 inch thick.  If you don’t have a machine follow these directions for linguine or fettuccine: loosely roll up prepared dough jelly-roll style; cut into 1/8 inch wide strips for linguine or ¼ inch wide strips for fettuccine or noodles.  Separate the strips and cut them into 12 inch lengths.

To store the pasta, hang it from a drying rack or clothes hanger or spread it on a wire cooling rack.  Let pasta dry overnight or until completely dry; place in an airtight container.  It will stay fresher longer in the freezer.

Follow directions for cooking the homemade dry pasta just like commercial dried pasta.  If you are cooking it fresh, just shorten the time in boiling water till the correct tenderness.

My family loves pasta served with just butter or Ghee.

This is such an easy thing to make and is budget-friendly.  Imagine plopping down a huge bowl of fresh, steamy pasta in front of your family and friends and telling them, “Yeah, I made that!”  Making pasta is very rewarding especially when it disappears from the plates of everyone.

So, even though I can get commercial pasta very cheaply with my coupons, I prefer to make these noodles.  First, I control the ingredients, I can customize the recipe and finally the fresh taste and tenderness are SO worth it.  Plus, I hope someday when my kids stumble upon a pasta-maker, they will recall the fond memories of helping mom make their beloved noodles.

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