Channel Your Inner Virtuoso And Make Pasta From Scratch

Italy has a long withstanding tryst with their main staple, Pasta, and they do not intend to end it anytime soon. Or even later for that matter. To Italians, pasta is an integral part of their culinary heritage and cultural identity. It is more than just food; it is a symbol of family, community, and tradition. Italians take great pride in their pasta as each region has come up with their own signature dish to represent its uniqueness. While the Italian dish has been made for years, it is hard not to get caught up in the charm and passion that Italians have for the dish. Right from the way they make the pasta by hand, to the artful way they present it on the plate, everything about pasta in Italy is a celebration of life, love, and good food.

Do You Want To Make Your Own Italian Pasta From Scratch Like An Italian? Here’s The Ultimate Guide!

Start by gathering all the ingredients and equipments you are going to ‘knead’:

Let’s start with the ingredients list (serves 2) - 

• 300 gms of Durum Wheat

• 5 eggs (2 full eggs and 3 yolks)

• 50 gm of salt 

• 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 

Now, to perfect the pasta dough, it is vital to weigh the ingredients to the T. Avoid all kinds of mistakes while kneading the dough with the help of the following equipments -

• A Food Scale

• (Optional) A Food Processor

• A Rolling Pin

Once you have gathered all the ingredients and have the equipment ready, let’s start preparing the dough, shall we?

• Measure the ingredients and ensure you stick to the general rule of thumb measurements. It will help you make your pasta dough seamlessly, without any hindrances.

• Start with keeping a bowl on the food scale, and add two broken eggs and three separate egg yolks to it.

• Add water to the mix to make it 185 gms, as this measurement helps achieve the perfect consistency for your dough.

• Take 300 gms of durum wheat and 1 gm of salt in another bowl and mix this mix separately.

• Now, clean a flat surface and spread your dry ingredients mix on it.

• Make a small mould in the middle, pour the wet ingredients mix, and start folding the dough until kneaded.

• Once the dough is mixed, it must feel a bit sticky. That is your sign to continue kneading it from outside to inside. If the flour persists on sticking to the surface or your hands, add 1-2 tbsp of flour to the mix and knead the dough again.

Traditionally, the dough was kneaded by hand, which gave it a special touch and magical taste, but you can opt for the food processor to make the dough.

A pro tip: The pasta dough must be firm and a tad bit hard. That is how you know you have cracked the code.

Once your dough is prepared, wrap it in plastic wrap and rest it at room temperature for 30 minutes. For the next step, you will need a pasta machine, and in case you do not have one, cut the dough into your desired shape.

• Start off by dusting some flour on a flat surface and keep ¼th of your kneaded dough on it.

• Roll it out using a rolling pin and attain a thickness of 1 mm.

• Cut the dough into your desired shape.

• Put a bowl of water on the stove and bring it to a boil, add salt, and pour a tablespoon of olive oil into the water.

• Start adding the cut and rolled pasta to the bowl. Let it cook till al dente (that's how the Italians like their pasta).

• To check if the pasta is cooked al dente, fish a piece of pasta out, chew it and check if it is tender enough to chew, and yet still has a firm texture.

• Strain the pasta, toss it in the sauce and serve hot!

Cut Your Own Pasta With These Tips And Techniques

There is nothing better than having a pasta machine at home to cut and roll the pasta into different types. But not every household owns one, here are some tips and tricks on how to make and cut common types of pasta.

• Once the dough is ready, flatten it out with a rolling pin with a 0.16 cm thickness. 

• If you are making thick pasta or lasagna, you can leave it at the aforementioned thickness.

• In case, you are making a linguine or fettuccine, roll it out further until the thickness is about 0.079 cm.

• If you wish to make stuffed pasta, roll it out into thin, yet sturdy strips. Remember they should be strong enough to hold the filling.

• Then use a knife to cut the rolled-out dough into a rectangle and keep away the excess dough for later use.

• Let your dough rest for another 20 minutes. Once the dough is dry enough, start folding the dough and use the following tips to roll the dough to make your own very favourite pasta - 

• To make a linguine, roll the dough and start evenly cutting the dough measuring 0.32 cm

• For a fettuccine, cut every 0.42 cm

• Make the enticing pappardelle by cutting the dough every 2 cm

• Prepare lasagna sheets by cutting every 4 inches or 10 cm

Our chef’s tip: You can also use a pizza cutter instead of a knife to cut the pasta to speed things up!

How To Cook Pasta The Italian Way

The Italians have a long-term relationship with pasta, and they are very particular about how it is cooked. If you wish to cook and eat authentic Italian pasta, keep reading to find out how they make their pasta al dente - 

1. For starters, Italians like their pasta hard. In India, we usually cook the pasta soft and chewy, which is okay. But not Italians. They boil their pasta for a shorter time to achieve the best and most authentic taste of an al dente pasta.

2. They also have designated pasta shapes to go with different types of pasta. While the Italians like their pasta with designated sauces, we recommend you experiment with different pasta sauces!

Avoid Doing These Things While Making Your Pasta

• Do not add salt to the water before it is boiled. Saltwater takes more time to heat up!

• Use a generous amount of water, otherwise, the pasta will start to stick in the pan and will not be well-cooked.

• We saved the best tip for last. Always reserve the stock, i.e. the salt water from boiled pasta. It helps bind the sauce and pasta together seamlessly.

How To Pair The Pasta With The Best Sauce There Is

Since there are so many different types of sauces that are made with pasta, it is very common for people to use just about any pasta with the sauce of their choice. However, each pasta sauce complements a different kind of pasta. Here’s a short guide to help you make your shopping decisions easier and according to your taste and preferences.

You can order pasta online on our website.

Make An Italian Affair Out Of Your Pasta Party

Are you hosting an intimate Italian-themed soiree? Here is the list of do’s and don'ts for your guests and yourself to enjoy the Italian dish the Italian way -

• Avoid using a spoon to twirl your pasta until and unless the pasta sauce is either soupy or creamy. Instead, use a fork, twirl the pasta along the fork teeth, and enjoy a ravishing feast.

• Say no to cheese for pasta with a fish or seafood sauce. Instead, sautee some breadcrumbs and season the pasta for an authentic taste.

• If cheese does not compliment the pasta sauce, do not add it. Cheese in pasta is subjective, as it does not always fare well with every kind of pasta sauce.

• Italians love pasta so much that it is not part of their main course. Rather, they consume pasta as the first course/appetiser.

Presentation and aesthetics are the keywords in the world of Instagram. Plate the pasta in the most attractive way so that it not only tastes delicious but also looks the part.

• Always serve pasta with either rich creamy or meat sauces with garlic bread.

• If you are serving meatballs on your pasta, do not overload your bowl of pasta with it.

• In case the pasta is soupy or creamy, it is always better to serve it in a bowl or a plate with high walls.

Well, let the taste of pasta sauce swirl in your mouth and groove to some classical Italian music the upcoming weekend.

In case you are looking for Italian classic pasta essentials, head on to our website and shop today and enjoy the authentic Italian taste of your favourite dish. Buon appetito!