Pasta from scratch

Growing up, my mom made most everything from scratch.  She can whip up a perfect pie crust or dinner rolls in minutes.  I still do not have these skills, but I do like to try my hand at making pantry staples.

Don't get me wrong; I love jarred spaghetti sauce and frozen dinner rolls just like the next busy home cook.  But every once in a while, our reliable food friends deserve their time in the sun.  Without trying home made pasta, you can never appreciate how delicious a single noodle can really be. 

BASIC PASTA

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the flour, add the slightly beaten egg, and mix. Mixture should form a stiff dough. If needed, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons water.
2. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for about 3 to 4 minutes. With a pasta machine or by hand roll dough out to desired thinness. Use machine or knife to cut into strips of desired width.

Notes:  Our pasta was still quite crumbly after it was kneaded.  Be patient.  Let the dough REST for 15 minutes before trying to roll it.  If you do not let it rest, your dough will not stretch into beautiful sheets.  Trust us, we made this one time and forgot.  It was a disaster.

Allrecipes also has some tips on pasta making.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

Pasta with brussels sprouts, sage, and butter

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

– Confucius



In the midst of a busy work week, I often lose sight of anything else.  My time becomes consumed with patient calls and catching up paperwork.  The focus becomes five o'clock on Friday.

I found some midweek relief in making this dinner.  We made pasta from scratch with some simple sauteed vegetables.  This is not life changing, I know.   What I valued more was the simplicity in making it.  Spending time in the kitchen with someone I love is the best way to calm my mind.  My boyfriend and I split the tasks without needing to talk.  The silence is filled with music from our favorite dinner guest: Frank Sinatra.  Or worse, I sing along. 

I need more of these moments especially when they are followed by a tremendously delicious dinner.  I will post the pasta recipe soon!

-Truffles
                                                

Sage Butter Pasta from Sprout and Pea

Ingredients:

• Pasta
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 large shallot, diced
• 1 cup brussels sprouts chopped thin (like confetti)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

*We remade this a second time.  I wanted more veggies with my pasta.  My preferred ingredients would look like this:

• Pasta
• 8 tbsp butter
• 1 cup shallots, chopped thin
• 2 cups brussels sprouts, chopped thin
• 2 tbsp sage

Directions:

Boil pasta once you start the cooking the vegetables.

Melt butter in saucepan.  Add shallots, saute until tender.  Add brussels sprouts and sage.  Cook on medium heat until brussels sprouts are soft.

Mix together with drained pasta.  Sprinkle Parmesan on top if desired.   Then, enjoy this easy, extremely flavorful dish!