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Fresh Pasta

I’ve been cooking a lot this week in our tiny galley kitchen and I actually LOVE it. It is so cozy and I have everything I need. We’ve made homemade pasta twice this week. It was my first time and it was so easy. I just used some random internet recipe I found and then flattened it on my pasta machine.

On a related note: The best part about a small kitchen is there isn’t much to clean I always thought I was a terrible housekeeper but as it turns out all I need is a small house, a dishwasher, sparse furnishings, and my house stays clean really easily.

Have you ever tried fresh pasta? Anyone have any good pasta recipes I should try?

  1. JORDEN CUNNINGHAM

    March 3, 2011

    I'm addicted to these "pasta handkerchiefs." Delicious & so easy! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/dining/12minirex.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=rough%20pasta&st=cse

  2. robin k

    March 3, 2011

    So awesome, Jordan!

  3. kaethe

    March 3, 2011

    Yum on the pasta. Totally agree on the kitchen.

  4. Tasha

    March 3, 2011

    Ohh, thanks for the link to the pasta machine! I have a tiny kitchen too (in Brooklyn) but really want a tiny pasta maker…perfect.

    good recipe (as long as no one is allergic/opposed to clams), so delicious:

    http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatime.blogspot.com/2010/03/linguine-with-clam-sauce.html

  5. tracie valentino

    March 3, 2011

    My husband actually used to make homemade ravioli for our now-7 year old, when she was a toddler and just started eating table food. Instead of stuffing them with cheese, he would put meats and veggies in them, and make them bite-sized for her. It was a great way to "fool" her into eating less appealing foods like spinach.

  6. I Dream Of

    March 3, 2011

    Looks delicious. I've never attempted fresh pasta, but you're inspiring me! And couldn't agree more about the kitchen!

  7. Whitney J

    March 3, 2011

    i've never made pasta but have always been so curious about people who do. awesome job! 🙂

  8. Kathleen

    March 3, 2011

    My US kitchen is roomy but the kitchen I used in Paris was super tiny too. It felt nice and cozy I loved it!

  9. Kayla

    March 3, 2011

    We LOVE fresh pasta and make it all the time, but I just use a rolling pin. I've been wanting a pasta machine for ever. Is it worth it??

    Kayla
    Freckles in April | a modest clothing blog

  10. A.

    March 3, 2011

    You haven't lived till you've had fettuccine alfredo with everything homemade. Gaahh yummy!

  11. Katie

    March 3, 2011

    I love homemade pasta. I can't eat anyone else's lasagna and fully enjoy it. This is my fave lasagna recipe: http://www.kitchassist.com/explore/recipe/classic-cheese-lasagna1

  12. Susan

    March 3, 2011

    Small kitchens are the best! What a cutie assistant you have. 😉

  13. TN

    March 3, 2011

    We did the same thing you did and I think we have the same machine. But it was prb our last attempt as it was such a pain 🙁 My husband did not like the kneading part…but I'm sure our KitchenAid would do all of it…but he didn't use it. Maybe we will try again…

  14. Alyssa

    March 3, 2011

    People always think we're nuts when we say we want a smaller house. Less is totally more!

    We love to make the basic recipe and then add fresh herbs (basil is a favorite). You just fold them into the dough as it gets thinner and then roll a couple more times before cutting.

    I've also always wanted to try chocolate pasta with a mascarpone sauce. Might have to get the pasta machine out this afternoon…

  15. --r

    March 3, 2011

    the perfect accessory to a tiny kitchen…why, a darling little boy to put in it, of course.

  16. fauxmartha

    March 3, 2011

    First, I love your blog! I visit daily.

    Second, I am addicted to homemade pasta too. It just doesn't compare to the packaged stuff. I have been making whole wheat pasta. Here's the recipe: http://fauxmartha.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/homemade-pasta-noodles/

    Third, I agree—tiny kitchens are not so bad. But I still can't manage to keep it clean 🙂

  17. alexis maia

    March 3, 2011

    I think my baby fever is starting up again because every time I see a picture of Roman I squeal/swoon/gush and want to have my own little boy to cuddle with.

  18. Jenny

    March 3, 2011

    this all looks so diviine. I love seeing your little guy checking out the pasta. Your hair, outfit, & apron look so great especially for living in France!

  19. rebecca s.

    March 3, 2011

    lovely! and i can also agree on the smaller kitchen thing. 🙂

  20. Kate

    March 3, 2011

    My mother-in-law makes homemade pasta all the time – she even teaches a class on it. She has some yummy recipes for whole grain pasta, and homemade ricotta cheese gnocchi on her blog.
    http://delinasbodaciouseats.blogspot.com/2010/04/multi-grain-pasta.html

    http://delinasbodaciouseats.blogspot.com/2010/06/ricotta-cheese-gnocchi.html

  21. janis

    March 3, 2011

    i need to try to make my own pasta!

    i like your milk maid braids 🙂

  22. kristin

    March 3, 2011

    i'm pretty sure that i would benefit from a smaller house to clean. i'm waiting for my kids to grow up to help me. then when they move out, we'll be back to a smaller place (but they are the ones making the messes).

    love the idea of making my own pasta!

  23. Where My Heart Is

    March 3, 2011

    I love making homemade pasta – as you say it is so easy and it is so superior in taste. I must get my machine out, you have inspired me not to be so lazy. Perhaps it is the cleaning up that puts me off (and that's not really a big deal).

  24. AlyssaP

    March 3, 2011

    What a cool idea for drying out the pasta! Did you just stick dowels or wooden spoons in your cabinet, or is that some secret trick of your new kitchen?

  25. cicilia

    March 3, 2011

    looks very fun and look at your lil boy who helped you by the kitchen…too darn cute! 🙂

  26. Hilary

    March 3, 2011

    I love Paris kitchens! So fabulous.

  27. marissa (stylebook)

    March 3, 2011

    you know you've got a pasta addiction when simply looking at photos of fresh pasta makes your stomach rumble. (really happened.)

  28. Jennifer Ann

    March 3, 2011

    Check out Jamie Oliver's first cookbook. Lots of suggestions for fancying up homemade pasta. I add chopped herbs to make it pretty and beet juice if you want dramatic red pasta! Yum! I lived in Paris once many years ago as well. It is my favorite city on earth. I also live in SF currently…I think my 2nd favorite city.

  29. kirsi Kyllonen

    March 3, 2011

    super easy and i love the texture!!

    Homemade cavatelli

    Ingredients

    2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup fine semolina flour
    1 teaspoon salt
    3/4 cup warm water
    Preparation

    Place the semolina and all-purpose flour and the salt in a mound on wooden board, make a well and slowly add water and incorporate with a fork.
    On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5-8 minutes.
    Line 2 large jelly-roll pans with clean dry dish cloths or napkins. Dust the cloths lightly with flour. Cut the semolina dough into 8 pieces. Take 1 piece and keep the remaining pieces covered with an inverted bowl as you work. On a lightly floured board or countertop, roll the piece into a long rope about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the rope into 1/2-inch lengths. Hold a dull-bladed knife with a rounded tip in one hand with your index finger pressed against the blade of the knife. Flatten each piece of dough, dragging it slightly so that the dough curls around the tip of the knife to form a shell shape.
    Place the cavatelli to dry in a single layer on the prepared pans while you continue with the remaining dough.
    Serving Size

    Makes 1 pound of dough

  30. Anonymous

    March 3, 2011

    No recipes but there's a great little shop on Rue Claire that sells amazing fresh pasta.

  31. Jill

    March 3, 2011

    Fresh pasta is amazing. I just tried it two weeks ago at my Mom's. She does 1 egg + 2/3 cup flour ratio, then adds herbs like oregano, etc. She made lasagna and it was unbelievable superior the fresh noodles were. She bought her pasta maker on Ebay for $15, the kind that clamps onto her counter.

  32. Jordan - Polkadot Prints

    March 3, 2011

    I always say I should have been born Italian! I love making fresh pasta…although sometimes a packet is just too easy!

    Here is the "recipe" I use – super simple.

    100g plain flour (approx 3.5oz)
    1 egg
    for every person you are preparing for.

    Use 90g of the flour to start with, add egg till dough forms. May need to add the extra flour depending on the size of eggs use. Better to be drier than wetter though.

    Knead till it gets kind of silky approx 5mins (while thinking happy "Little House on the Prairie, I make my pasta by hand" thoughts..)

    Run through the pasta machine. Dry. Boil in salted water.

    SOOO good!

  33. love.boxes

    March 3, 2011

    I had a very tiny condo in the city once and I didn't own much and I kept it immaculate for 5 years. My house is a mess unless I have people over. If you pop by though, you are welcome to visit my mess.
    Lovely Pasta!

  34. love.boxes

    March 3, 2011

    I love those cheeks on Roman.. so cute.

  35. natalie

    March 4, 2011

    Making fresh pasta is addicting once you see how easy it is and how awesome it tastes.

  36. kalanicut

    March 4, 2011

    May I just say that your bangs look fabulous in that photo and you've got me thinking again about getting them. Lovely.

    Oh and of course yes, homemade pasta looks fantastic and delicious!

  37. c.e.l.i.n.a

    March 4, 2011

    I have been wanting a pasta maker!

    ♥ theMRS.

    Just a few quick thoughts on office bathroom {etiquette}

  38. redmenace

    March 4, 2011

    Oh Jordan. How fun. I love homemade pasta! Here's one of my fave recipes:
    http://achowlife.com/2009/02/go-green-with-homemade-pasta.html

    Enjoy! xo

  39. Nikki

    March 4, 2011

    I love homemade pasta. It tastes so fresh interesting enough. 😉

  40. Karina - Mitcheal

    March 4, 2011

    Martha has great mint and goat cheese ravioli. I saw it in a magazine. She must have it online. Yum.

  41. madge

    March 4, 2011

    I was never so efficient a cook as I was when I had 18" of workspace.

    More pics of your Paris adventure, please!

  42. Sara

    March 5, 2011

    Love it…and I'm wishing my husband and I had jobs that could be as flexible as yours, so we could take our kids overseas for a year, too! (Damn government employees).

    Anyway, I love Marcella Hazan's green lasagna. It uses her insanely good bolognese, and then homemade noodles with spinach. It's fabulous.

  43. Anonymous

    March 17, 2011

    The secret is to take the eggs out the fridge a couple of hours before you use them, because straight out of the fridge don't mix well with the flour. I use as Jordan – Polkadot Prints, 1 egg for 100g of flour.
    Then I (being italian, born and lived in Rome 3 decades and more) had to look on wiki what Fettuccine Alfredo are:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fettuccine_alfredo
    It looks to be fettuccine with butter and parmisan cheese, in their american tourist version. And this is SO disappointing…
    Alex

  44. kahlia

    March 20, 2011

    We're living in Italy now, and my Spanish husband loves to make pasta! We use the same "recipe" as Jordan – Polkadot Prints & Anonymous (egg + enough "00" flour to make it feel right). On fancy days we'll add in some puréed vegetables (especially squash when it's in season) and then just add more flour to get the consistency right again. Since you're already in France, check the big grocery stores for tubes of tomato/basil/whatever purée (I've seen them in both Spain & Italy and imagine they'd have them in France as well), as it's a concentrated version and you could get lots more flavor for not a lot of "liquid" (as opposed to making the purées yourself, which tends to be very liquidy).

    Next step: making the pesto yourself, too! I don't like the basil pesto you buy already-made in jars, but *love* the garlic-heavy stuff my husband makes with a mortar & pestle. It's so worth the effort!

    (I'd love to get a pasta-cutting machine like that one you have… we've been cutting it by hand so far, but a machine would be so much easier!)

  45. DangAndBlast!

    April 2, 2011

    I noticed the same thing when I was in a tiny room in india for 4 months. Lots easier to keep it clean, especially when 1) you need to roll up your bed daily because of dust and 2) all your clothes are the same shape and fold up on shelves!

  46. Peg Bird

    June 14, 2011

    Jordan, this is the best recipe featured on my friend’s blog from Italy. She made it for us while living there, and I make it every summer numerous times. It’s delish with fresh pasta! Have fun! http://kee-ourfamily.blogspot.com/2008/04/pesto-alle-erbe.html

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