Adventures in Pasta!!

I'm really excited about this!! I've been wanting to experiment with pasta for quite a while now - lets just say being a proficient pasta-maker is on my bucket list. I can see myself at the farmers market with bags of home made pastas in simple, elegant flavors, ready for customers to gobble them up... someday! For now, I must put on my science goggles and get down to the task of mastering pasta.

For Christmas, my fiancee bought me a 5qt Kitchenaid Mixer... I will likely make an entire post, later, harping on the awesomeness that is Kitchenaid. For now, I'll just throw out that other mixers really don't stand a chance, when it comes to home use. And its awesome. And its PINK!! :) I love you, Jeremy!

Right, so: Pasta... As it turns out, the stuff is pretty foolproof. You really don't need any special ingredients, being a food item with very rustic basics, you can use whatever you have on hand. 

For the last several days, I've been planning my debut into the world of pasta, looking for decent looking recipes. I shouldn't be surprised that the best one I've found so far has been from Mario Batalli. Good old Mario <3 He is my Italian hero.
This recipe has but two ingredients. It makes a pasta that is chewy and rich, since its just flour and egg. And did I mention you can't screw it up?

Mario's Basic Pasta
makes about 4 servings
 
Ingredients:
3 or 4 eggs
1.5 cups of all-purpose flour (or 10 oz)

1. Dump everything into your (fancy-schmancy-awesome) Kitchenaid mixer, starting with 3 eggs. If it looks dry after you start to mix, add the fourth yolk. If still dry, add the white also. I only used 3 eggs.
(Click here for by hand instructions).
2. Mix everything together until combined, then attach the Dough Hook and mix on medium speed for 15-20 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, let it sit for 30 minutes.
Tip: I use a large plastic ziplock bag to cover my dough - cut one side and across the bottom to open it up. I can wash it over and over, and it saves me on plastic wrap. 
3. Roll out with your (fancy-schmancy-awesome) Kitchenaid pasta rolling set.
 I used the wide pasta setting to make a fettuccine type noodle. (see picture below)

To cook fresh pasta: drop into salted, boiling, water. Cook 1-2 minutes until tender. Top with your favorite sauce.  

Here are two of my favorite, simple, pasta sauces. They take minutes to make and are delicious!

Basic Tomato Sauce:
1 14.5oz can of diced or stewed tomatoes (with Basil, Garlic and Oregano)
- Open can, heat up, pour over pasta

Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Sauce:
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (+1tbsp butter, for richer sauce, optional)
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- Heat oil in a skillet. Add garlic. Fry until garlic browns, 3-4 minutes. Pour over pasta.

I have no qualms mentioning that I am a bit of a food snob... So I recommend using freshly grated Parmesan, never that snowy mess that passes for Parmesan at cheap pizza joints (smells like old socks). Use fresh, quality, ingredients whenever possible, of course - especially since you are using very few ingredients, you want them to stand out on their own and say hello :)