Thursday, March 30, 2006

Homemade Pasta

Pasta Machine

Today was one of those days where my hands felt fidgety - i attribute this to the fact that i haven't been cooking or baking in a long while!

I was studying (yes, my exams are less than a month away!) when my mind wandered off and I suddenly felt like eating pasta. Not only did i want to eat pasta, I wanted to eat homemade pasta. I was in the mood for something made fresh without preservatives whatsoever.

Then I remembered I have a pasta machine! See that beautiful baby right above? Well my dad bought it a few years ago... actually many years ago! About 11 years ago! How do I know? Well, heh when I uncovered this gem from the storeroom, it was still in its original box with the date of purchase and price written on it (my mum has a habit of labelling most of our major purchases, don't ask me why).

I can't believe we haven't used this wonderful contraption in eons... and so I knew it was my chance to save it from anymore neglect. I went on to make my own pasta.... it's my first time! And here are some photos if you are curious:

egg and flour mixture
pouring eggs into the flour for my pasta dough


finished pasta dough
my finished pasta dough


rolling pasta noodles
rolling out the pasta noodles

Homemade pasta is rather simple actually. All you need is a pinch of salt, some flour and eggs! If you're wondering how much I used: 3 cups flour and 4 eggs at room temperature. I was supposed to add salt too but I kind of forgot and well it actually made no difference. So I think it's okay to omit it?

Anyway, I must say, it was an experience, making my own pasta for the very first time and actually tasting it. I was too lazy to make any pasta sauce whatsoever so I just opened a can of tom yam tuna and poured some over my cooked pasta:

Tom Yam Tuna Pasta

Hey, I know what you're thinking... it's quite a half-baked attempt at dinner but well I have exams to study for and I was just looking to fill my stomach asap and get back to mugging! :)

By the way, I think my noodles came out too thick, but it was fine for me... I liked it anyway. Just remember that when you cook it, it'll expand.

I might make more pasta soon - I really like it! Quite fun actually... but that'll have to wait till my exams are over.... ahh... okay back to the books. cheerios!

10 comments:

  1. YUM! I love homemade/fresh pasta!! ..esp fettucine!!! Take my hat off you girl.

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  2. I love the "arty" photo of your pasta coming off the pasta machine!

    I recently made whole-wheat pasta for the first time which turned out beautifully (great deep tan color)... though it proved harder to knead, I thought.

    May your pasta machine not be banished for another 11 years in the back of the pantry!

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  3. I have the same pasta machine and I love it!
    Dinner look yummy, I wish I had smellavision!

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  4. What better way to deal with fidgety hands than to make pasta. This is beautiful and the picture are gorgeous! Great job!

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  5. Your pasta look delicious! I wouldn't mind finding such a machine in my pantry, ha!...

    Good luck with your exams!

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  6. michie: i'm so glad i went ahead and did it.. though i was skeptical at first! it's always like that the first time... i wanna make ravioli next!

    Amy D: thanks amy! ooo whole wheat pasta? sounds good! how did it taste? it sure would be much healthier. i was thinking the next time, i could make orange pasta with carrot puree or maybe green pasta with spinach juice! hey or maybe purple... with hmm, grape juice? :p oh yes, i'm sure the machine will be well utilised from now on as long as i'm around...

    Sweeti: it's an amazing machine isn't it! hey hey, with the latest technology, seroiusly, smellavision isn't impossible. i can't wait for that day!

    Ivonne: oh yes, definitely! it helps calm one's hands and trains it to be patient. ahaha. thanks!

    Rosa: i'm just glad i decided to search for this long lost gem in the storeroom. seriously, my dad used to buy so much useful stuff that he ends up not using!

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  7. Hope you'll have more fun with the nachine. Just like what I'm currently doing ;p We have the same machine. Your fettucine looks good.

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  8. Hey, I've been reading your blog for quite some time and after reading all the entries I've found inspiration and motivation to step into my kitchen to cook and bake again, after for so long. hehehe. Thanks! :)

    Good luck for your exams!

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  9. ooo, so that's what 'ban mian' called in english. PASTA!
    my next visit to the food court for breakfast, i will tell the auntie that i want PASTA SOUP, BIG!

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  10. Oh, I am so envious of you that you have a pasta machine! Tom yam tuna pasta, I must try that too! Keep cooking!

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