Homemade Pasta

Sometimes it's about the food and sometimes it's about the process. Making homemade pasta is to me, all about the process. Truth be told, after I whipped up this batch of pasta, photographed it and tasted it, I packed it away for the office this week and poured a bowl of Cheerios. It's inexplicable except to say that making pasta, is just plain fun and worth the effort. Even if there is no desire to eat it, there is something very retro Playdoh Fun Factory about the process. Throw in a zillion flavor opportunities and it's the perfect relaxing Sunday afternoon activity.

Homemade Lemon Pepper Pasta

2 c. flour

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Zest of half a lemon

1. Pour flour onto a large bread board and form into a mound with a well in the center.

2. Beat eggs, oil, salt, pepper and zest together and pour into well.

3. Mix with fork, blending some amounts of the surrounding flour while mixing. Slowly incorporate more flour from the sides until a smooth ball is formed.

4. Knead for additional 8-10 mins. Roll dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap.

5. Let dough rest for 20 minutes. Cut into manageable portions.

6. Flatten each piece and run through thickest setting on pasta machine.

7. Run dough through machine 2-3 times at each setting until dough is thin enough for the specific use. At this point, pasta may be cooked immediately, frozen or dried on a rack.
8. Cook until tender, usually 3-5 minutes.