Pasta Kitchen Helps From Nancy The Finnjin Recipes

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH FRESH LINGUINE

Steps:

• For the fresh pasta: On a clean work surface, make a mound with the flour, then create a well. Pour the eggs into the well and use a fork to gradually flick the flour into the eggs, whisking in thoroughly as you go. Once all of the flour and eggs have been incorporated into a very shaggy dough, form it into a ball with your hands. Knead the dough, dusting with more flour if the dough is too sticky, or moistening your hands with water if the dough is too dry, until it has the texture of smooth leather, about 5 minutes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for 25 minutes to rest.
• Use your pasta machine to roll out the dough and cut fresh linguine, following the pasta machine's instructions. Dust with flour and cover the freshly-cut noodles with a damp towel while you work, and until ready to cook.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, and season with a handful of salt.
• For the sauce: Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter, and once it melts, add the asparagus, peas, string beans, garlic scapes, onions and a pinch of salt. Cook just until the onions soften and the scapes are fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the cream and chicken stock and cook to reduce, about 3 minutes.
• Add the fresh pasta to the pot of boiling water, and cook until the pasta is just al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pasta and transfer to the pan with the primavera sauce, then transfer everything to a serving bowl. Toss everything to coat, and taste for seasoning. Garnish with fresh Parmesan and basil and serve.

HOMEMADE NOODLES, NO WAITING TO DRY

Steps:

• 1. Bring broth to a boil, turn to simmer. Put flour into a small bowl Add 1 egg and 1/2 egg shell of milk. Mix with a fork. add a little more milk if to dry.
• 2. Pat out onto a flowered cutting board. Roll out wide and long... VERY, VERY thin.
• 3. Cut into thin strips with a pizza cutter, then cut noodles in half. Can be cut into smaller pieces ..if you so desire. Move cutting board to stove, Turn heat on broth to a medium boil,
• 4. Start putting noodles one by one into broth... stirring slowly so they do not stick together... Turn heat low to simmer..and cook for 25 -30 minutes. Stir occasionally so they do not stick. Taste to be sure they are not doughy. Cooking time will vary according to how thick you have cut the noodles!
• 5. Ladle into a serving bowl, and enjoy. This makes a good side dish QUOTE: "When in doubt, take a covered dish. "
• 6. ADD ON help: Pat out you're dough in the form of a hot dog bun.., longer than wider shape. Be sure to roll them as thin as you can, almost like paper!! flour your board and rolling pin well.. I move my board close to your broth, so when you pick them up(I use a spatula,) they will be close to your broth. Add them one at a time and stir, add another, stir, ...this is so they do not stick together! Always do a taste test during the cooking.. you do not want them to taste doughy! Wish I was there to help or show you... They are very easy to make...tips help , the first time....Hugs, nancy

FRESH PASTA

Steps:

• Beat together the eggs, yolk and olive oil with a fork in a large spouted measuring cup.
• Combine the flour and a large pinch of kosher salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse briefly to combine. With the food processor motor running, gradually pour the egg mixture through the feed tube and let it run until the dough forms a ball around the blade. (If the dough is too sticky to form a ball, add a tablespoon or so of flour and process again. If it is too crumbly to form a ball, add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and process again.) Once the dough forms a ball, process until smooth and springy, 20 to 30 seconds.
• Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead several times, until the dough comes together in a smooth ball.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. (The dough can be made 1 day ahead, wrapped and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before rolling.)
• Anchor a pasta machine to your countertop or secure the pasta attachment to a stand mixer. Set the machine to the widest setting. Unwrap the dough and cut it into 4 equal pieces. Wrap 3 of the pieces while you work with the fourth.
• Flatten the dough into a rectangle and lightly dust with flour. Roll it through the pasta machine at the widest setting. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter and feed it through the pasta machine. Repeat the folding and feeding of the dough through the machine 2 more times. (Rolling and folding in this manner will help strengthen and smooth the dough.)
• Set the pasta machine to the next setting (one setting thinner than the widest). Flour the dough as necessary and feed it through the machine. Repeat, feeding it through one more time.
• Adjust the machine to the next thinnest setting and feed the dough through 2 times as above. Continue changing the setting and feeding the dough through 2 times for each setting until you have fed the dough through the second-to-last setting. The dough should be thin enough so that you can see your hand through it.
• If you are cutting your pasta into noodles: Stop rolling the dough through after you have gone through the second-to-last setting.
• If you are making filled pasta, like ravioli: Change the machine to the final setting and feed the dough through.
• Cut the dough in half crosswise and cover it with plastic wrap. Repeat the folding, rolling and cutting process with the 3 remaining pieces of dough. Cover each piece of dough as you finish. You should have 8 pieces of dough total.
• If you are cutting your pasta into noodles: Affix the cutting attachment to the pasta machine. Choose the desired setting and feed the dough through. Lightly toss the noodles with a little flour on a baking sheet to prevent sticking and cover with a dry kitchen towel while you process the rest of the dough. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes.
• If you are making filled pasta: Proceed according to your recipe's instructions.

PASTA" KITCHEN HELPS" FROM NANCY-THE FINNJIN

Steps:

• PASTA CHIEF: This is so cute and handy. It hangs on the wall. No more guessing how much pasta to cook. Just fill the hole with the amount of servings you want. Sorta nice to have a guy always hanging around the kitchen and smileing!! He is such a cute littl guy!!!
• POT DRAINER: Easy to drain pasta from the pan No need for a strainer and a seperate bowl.. Hey! it works for me.
• GRANDMAS TIP: To check if the pasta is done. Take 1 strand out of the cooking water. Throw it up to the ceiling. If it sticks...It is done! Try it, you might like it... no more guessing!....LOL
• The PASTA CLAW: This is a great way to serve the cooked pasta. It grabs and holds. TIP: spray oil the utensils,then nothing sticks to it! even spatulas, etc.
• My every day,crockpot,spaghetti Sauce: I made today. 6/12/12
• Kellys great: "MEAT LOVERS TASTE of ITALY SPAGHETTI SAUCE" YUMMY...need I say more! but Thanks Kelly,..... for your recipe & picture.