Do you enjoy homemade pasta but dislike mixing and kneading it by hand? No problem. You can make Pasta dough for a food processor in under 5 minutes with 4 simple ingredients that you already possess.
The most versatile kitchen appliance is the food processor. From making muffin batter to gyro meat, it has countless applications. You may have yet to realize, however, that you can use yours to mix and knead homemade Italian pasta dough, saving you a great deal of time and virtually eliminating messes.
Ingredients Required to Make Pasta Dough in a Food Processor
Making pasta dough in a food processor is a quick and easy method that requires just a few ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour (or tipo 00 flour, which is a fine-grain Italian flour commonly used for pasta making)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Directions
Here’s how to make the pasta dough in a food processor:
- Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and olive oil together.
- With the food processor running, slowly pour the egg mixture through the feed tube.
- Let the food processor run until the dough comes together in a ball. If the dough is too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water to help it come together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes until smooth and elastic.
Your pasta dough is now ready to be rolled out and cut into the desired shape for your pasta dish.
How to Freeze Fresh Pasta
Freezing fresh pasta is a great way to preserve it for later use. Here are the steps to freeze fresh pasta:
- Prepare the pasta: Make the pasta dough as you normally would, roll it out and cut it into the desired shape. Allow the pasta to dry for at least 30 minutes before freezing.
- Portion the pasta: Once the pasta has dried, divide it into portions that will be convenient to use later. For example, you may want to portion it out in serving sizes, or enough for a recipe you typically use.
- Flash freeze: Place the portions of fresh pasta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Make sure the portions are not touching each other. Then, place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for a few hours, or until the pasta is firm.
- Store in a container: Once the pasta is firm, transfer the portions to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to label the container with the type of pasta and date frozen.
- Store in the freezer: Store the container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To cook frozen fresh pasta, simply add it directly to boiling water and cook for a few minutes longer than you would for fresh pasta. You can also thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Freezing fresh pasta is a great way to have homemade pasta on hand whenever you want it, without the time and effort required to make it from scratch each time.
How to Dry Fresh Pasta
Drying fresh pasta is a great way to preserve it for later use, as it can be stored at room temperature for several weeks. Here are the steps to dry fresh pasta:
- Prepare the pasta: Make the pasta dough as you normally would and roll it out to the desired thickness. Then, cut the pasta into the desired shape.
- Let it dry: Allow the pasta to dry for at least 30 minutes before drying. This will give the pasta time to dry and prevent it from sticking together.
- Hang the pasta: To dry the pasta, you can hang it on a pasta drying rack or over the back of a chair. If using a pasta drying rack, lightly flour the rack to prevent sticking. Then, hang the pasta on the rack and make sure that the pieces are not touching each other.
- Let it dry completely: Allow the pasta to dry completely for at least 12 hours, or until it is completely dry and brittle.
- Store in an airtight container: Once the pasta is dry, you can store it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to label the container with the type of pasta and date it was dried.
To cook dried pasta, simply add it to boiling water and cook for a few minutes, until al dente. Dried pasta will take longer to cook than fresh pasta, as it needs to rehydrate in the boiling water.
Drying fresh pasta is a great way to make sure you always have homemade pasta on hand. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and going bad.
Tips for making pasta dough in a food processor
Here are some tips for making pasta dough in a food processor:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Since pasta dough is made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s important to use high-quality flour and eggs for the best results. Fresh, organic eggs with vibrant yolks and a good quality flour will help to make a great-tasting pasta.
- Don’t overwork the dough: When making pasta dough in a food processor, it’s important to avoid overworking the dough. Process the ingredients until they come together in a ball, then transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth and elastic. Overworking the dough can result in tough pasta.
- Let the dough rest: Once you’ve made the pasta dough, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This allows the gluten in the dough to relax and makes it easier to roll out and shape.
- Adjust the moisture level: Depending on the humidity in your kitchen, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid you add to the pasta dough. If the dough seems too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the dough comes together. If the dough seems too wet, add a little extra flour.
- Use a pasta roller: Rolling out pasta dough by hand can be time-consuming and challenging. A pasta roller or pasta machine can help you achieve the perfect thickness and shape for your pasta. Roll out the dough in batches, starting with the widest setting and gradually decreasing the thickness until you reach the desired thickness for your pasta shape.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make delicious pasta dough in your food processor in no time!
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