Fun New Kitchen Gadgets

Fresh Pasta
2 1/2 Cups all-purpose unbleached lour
4 Eggs, beaten

Tools
Food Processor
Pasta Roller

For Christmas I was lucky enough to receive my very own pasta roller as a gift! I couldn't wait to try it, since it has always kind of been a dream of mine to make my own pasta. I'm learning to do both the old school way (on a counter making a well with the flour to add the eggs), and the new school way (in a food processor). I figured for my first time around I tried the food processor, since it's easy to fix the dough if it gets too wet or is too dry.

Add the flour to the processor. Turn it on, then add half the eggs. Mix until it looks like Parmesan cheese. The turn on the processor and add a tablespoon of the remaining egg at the time (you may need more or less), until it's the consistency of cous cous and the dough forms easily in your hands without crumbling. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, or until a smooth ball forms that springs back when you pinch it. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the dough to rest.

Once rested, flatten out the dough a bit (divide in 2 if necessary). Then run through the widest setting of the pasta roller, folding in half after each pass. Repeat until you hear a loud "pop." Then run through on each subsequent setting until the sheet of pasta is down to your desired thinness (there is no need to fold the dough here). If the dough gets too long, cut in half. Run the sheets through the cutter attachment. Separate the pasta with your hands then toss with a little flour. Cook in gently boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes. It's really not that hard once you get the feel for it, and it's so much fun! I cannot wait to try with different shapes and flavor combinations!