FRESH HOMEMADE PASTA

Roll into a thin circle.  For lasagna cut into 2 inch slices

Cut into 4 pieces

Stack the pieces together and roll up

Slice the rolls into the desired width

Shake out the rolls to separate

The noodles can be cooked now or dried a little or a lot.

They cook faster when fresh.

Fresh Homemade Pasta   is easier and faster than you think and so delicious.

Just Egg Noodles
Beat 4 large eggs add 2 tsp. Oil and enough flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest 15-30 minutes before rolling.  The dough needs to be stiff but not so stiff it is difficult to roll.  If you have a Kitchen Aid type mixer you can knead it there but by hand is very energizing

Spinach Egg Noodles
Beat 4 large eggs add ½ cup drained chopped frozen or fresh cooked spinach and 2 tsp. oil. Add flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest before rolling.

Semolina Flour Noodles
Beat 4 eggs with 2 tsp. oil Add 1 cups of semolina flour and enough white flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest  before rolling.  Semolina flour can be purchased at Kitchen Kneads in Ogden.  It makes a firmer noodle than just eggs.

Rolling and Cooking
Cut the dough into about 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a circle to the desired thinness. (For soup I usually make the noodles quite thin...for lasagna a little thicker. ) Use a little flour on the board when rolling and then dust with flour and cut into 4 pie shaped pieces. Stack the pieces on top of each other with the corners meeting. Roll into a small roll and slice into the desire noodle width. If you want to make lasagna noodles just cut the circle into 2-inch strips.  (Homemade noodles make fantastic lasagna)

Undo the rolls and dust with flour. This can be made ahead until ready to boil—just let sit on a cookie sheet or counter or cook right away.

Each of these recipes makes a large pot of soup or enough pasta for about 3-4 people. If you don’t want the noodles to thicken your soup boil them separately in water then drain and add to your soup (this makes a clear broth.) The flour you dust on them to keep them from sticking together thickens and clouds your soup, which can be nice if you have a rich broth.  Fresh pasta cooks very quickly in about 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness.