Have to learn to make Pasta

[User0204]

I just bought one of those Marie Callander Ravioli things and aside from being so small they wouldn't constitute a snack in Oz let alone a supposed meal and they tasted like chalk!

Therefore, because I like Pasta and eat quite a bit of it I think I am going to have to learn how to do two things:

1. Make spaghetti (you know that long thin stuff) and
2. Make Ravioli and Lasagna

 

[Jusa]

Yes! It's not as hard as some recipes make it look.

 

[medtran49]

Not hard, but some kind of pasta machine sure helps a lot!

 

[User0204]

I'm sure it is like a lot of things - first time around it looks hard but once doen - you ask yourself what all the fuss was about

And yeah, if I do get into it properly I will buy one of them

 

[Andy M.]

It's really fairly easy. Flour, egg, salt, water, olive oil. Combine, knead, roll it out, cut it up.

Making spaghetti requires a machine. It's an extruded shape. However, linguine and fettuccine are easy.

 

[pictonguy]

Bless your heart. Your in for a big wake up call without a machine and pasta in general.

 

[Jusa]

Bless your heart. Your in for a big wake up call without a machine and pasta in general.



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Yeah my KA with the pasta roller and cutter attachment is a godsend.

 

[User0204]

Ahh what is a KA?

 

[pictonguy]

Yeah my KA with the pasta roller and cutter attachment is a godsend.

Yeah for home use I have the same setup. I also have a 50 year old atlas as well. I like fresh pasta, don't get me wrong, it rocks, but dry pasta is still king.

 

[pictonguy]

This is a KA

 

[GotGarlic]

Ahh what is a KA?

KitchenAid stand mixer.

Check out the Pasta Grannies channel on YouTube. They'll show you how to make all kinds of pasta.

 

[Kathleen]

This is a KA

Ours is named "Lucille."

 

[Jusa]

Ours is named "Lucille."

Like BB King's guitars.

 

[Kathleen]

Yup. The blender/food processor is "Red Betty."

 

[Meryl]

Homemade fresh pasta is much easier to make than pizza doughs, that's for sure!
At least you don't have to watch it for two hours, praying it will rise.
I should be embarrassed saying I hardly ever make it (living here and being born to Italian parents), but I just don't have the patience.
I sometimes buy good quality fresh pasta at the local supermarket instead.

 

[Jusa]

Homemade fresh pasta is much easier to make than pizza doughs, that's for sure!
At least you don't have to watch it for two hours, praying it will rise.
I should be embarrassed saying I hardly ever make it (living here and being born to Italian parents), but I just don't have the patience.
I sometimes buy good quality fresh pasta at the local supermarket instead.

A lot of it is just having the time to make it I believe. I also am guessing that fresh pasta at Italian markets is less expensive than it is in the US? I can buy a box of good dry pasta for $1.50-$2 per pound, whereas a bag of refrigerated fresh pasta is $4 or more for about .5 pound. I also have lots of time, which allows me to have more patience

 

[taxlady]

The pasta roller in that video looks like the one I have. I love the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel. Lots of good, entertaining videos to learn from.

 

[dragnlaw]

I actually mix my small batch pasta in my food processor. Super easy that way and a very yummy recipe I got from my sis ter. I would divide it up into individual serving size, wrapp and freeze. Take out however much I needed.
Now-a-days I just use dry. I should really check my machine! Been sitting for a couple of years now, rust the scourge of the rollers!!!

 

[Aunt Bea]

I hate to see folks invest in specialized equipment until they are sure that their interest/curiosity is going to last and develop into an ongoing interest.

Start by making pasta/noodles that don’t require any special ingredients or equipment.

Sheet pasta for ravioli, lasagna, noodles etc… is easy enough to make with a rolling pin or even the side of a heavy wine bottle.

It seems like every nationality has a simple noodle or dumpling recipe. Try egg noodles, pierogi, kreplach, gnocchi, cavatelli, can all be made without any special equipment.

 

[dragnlaw]

Aunt Bea is absolutely right. You do not need any special equipment. Spaghetti, whether wide, thick or thin, ravioli, lasagna, can all be done by hand. I would recommend a rolling pin though. I've used a bottle many, many times but not really for pasta!