Lover's Delight

My husband Scott loves seafood, steak, red wine and chocolate.  So for Valentine's Day I decided to treat him to all of the above.  He also has a sweet spot for anything made with Cream of Mushroom soup!  I had to draw the line somewhere on that one, so I at least bought Amy's Kitchen Organic Cream of Mushroom soup to make him a Seafood Pasta.  To up the ante a bit, I made him fresh, homemade pasta.  The things we do for love....

HOMEMADE PASTA

1/4 pound organic whole wheat flour

3/4 pound organic unbleached all purpose flour

5 organic eggs

Method:  Crack the eggs into a stand mixer bowl and as it is mixing, add the flour.  Mix on medium  for about 3 minutes until it forms a stiff dough.  Then take it out and knead it for a bit with your hands until it is smooth.  Place in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for 1 hour.  

     Remove dough from fridge and cut into 4 balls.   Cover the other 3 and run the dough through each setting of a hand cranked pasta machine.  Dust the wide strips of pasta with plenty of flower and then either cut them by hand into strips or use the part of the machine that makes fettucine.  Then toss them a bit to remove excess flour and form them into little heaps on the floured counter.  Bring a pot of water to boil, salt it and cook until al dente for about 2 minutes.

Pasta without Machines:  Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the eggs.  Break up the eggs slightly as you mix in the flour from the sides.  Then start to use your hands and knead for about 3 minutes until the dough is smooth.  Wrap and fridge for 1 hour.

Remove dough from fridge and divide into 2 balls.  Wrap the other ball again and refrigerate.  Flour a work surface and roll out the ball with a rolling pin.  Dust and turn the dough and keep rolling until it is very thin (1-2 mm).  Cut into strips with a knife.