It is surprisingly easy to make your own pasta. All you need is a rolling pin and a large saucepan. See below for tomato sauce and garlic bread recipes to go with the pasta, and for protein and side dish suggestions.
Ingredients (per serving)
!00g Plain flour (00 flour, or fine flour is recommended but optional)
1 large egg
1 x tsp olive oil
Method
1. Weigh flour and tip carefully onto the clean kitchen counter
2. Make a large well in the centre and crack the unbeaten eggs into it
3. With a fork gently whisk the eggs and slowly incorporate the flour from the sides
4. When the dough starts to come together use your hands to bring all the flour in, then knead for about 8-10 minutes.
5. When the dough is soft and springy place in an airtight container OR wrap in cling film to rest for 30 minutes
6. Put a large pan of water on to boil
7. When the pasta dough is rested, cut it into portions. Lightly flour the kitchen top and roll out until thin. Cut the pasta to shape.
8. Salt the water and gently pop the pasta into the boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Drain and serve
Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
400g tin of tomatoes – or a jar of passata
1 x tbsp tomato puree
1 finely chopped onion
4 cloves of finely chopped garlic
Splash of milk to reduce the acidity
Olive oil
Method
1.Heat the olive oil & gently fry the onions for 5 minutes
2. Add Garlic, tomatoes and tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes
3. When the pasta is cooked add a little of the cooking water.
4. Serve on top of the pasta
Garlic Bread
Ingredients
1 baguette or French stick
100 g butter or 1tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
Method
1. Put butter and garlic in the microwave and melt (about 30 seconds) if using olive oil just mix with the garlic
2. Slice the bread on an angle in 1 inch slices
3. Spread the butter or olive oil mix over the slices and cook on for 10 mins on 180 fan or for about 8 minutes on 200 in the airfryer.
Serving Suggestion
Green salad leaves or watercress with vinaigrette
Grated cucumber with a little lemon juice
Protein Suggestion:
- You could include in the sauce a small amount of:
– high quality, free range meat (eg mince, chicken strips, meatballs, sliced sausage or chorizo)
– tinned fish (eg tuna or sardine puttanesca pasta)
– cheese (mozarella, parmesan, cheddar). - You can also add hard boiled eggs and/or nuts and seeds to your salad.
