Carlos Kitchen Pasta Maker

Like the idea of making your very own home made pasta, but you get put off by the idea that it will be far too difficult and time consuming? Well think again!

I had this pasta machine given to me as a home warming present and yesterday I gave it a go and was really surprised at how easy it was!

It's basically a metal hand machine that can be clamped to your work surface, that has a handle on the side that you can take out and move to which ever pasta shape you want.

There is a roller for making lasagne sheets, one for wide noodles, (tagliatelle) and one for thin noodles (spaghetti)

To make the dough you only need basic ingredients of flour, salt, eggs and olive oil.

I used general household plain flour, but you can use semolina flour or durum wheat flour.

This is the recipe that I followed:

Ingredients

About 200g (7oz) semolina flour or strong plain flour
2 eggs
pinch of salt or salt substitute
15ml (1tbsp) olive oil

Method

Sift the flour into a mound on a clean working surface.
Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, salt and oil.

Using your fingers stir in the flour from the sides of the well, continue until the dough comes together.
Using both hands knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and not sticky.

Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest for about 30 minutes before shaping and cutting.

Makes about 350g (12oz) dough.

Once you have reached this stage you need to roll it out as thinly as possible on a large surface. Then cut the dough into rectangles, wide enough to fir into the top of the pasta machine. As you slowly feed the dough into the machine, you need to start turning the handle and the dough will be feed through the machine,shaping it in which ever way you select.

The machine is very easy to clean and can be put in the dishwasher if you have one.

Cooking the Pasta

Pasta should be cooked in fast-boiling salted water in a large saucepan.

Adding 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil to the water will prevent it boiling over and stop the pasta sticking together.

Cooking time depends on the size;

Long pasta takes about 4-5 minutes
Short cut pasta 3-4 minutes
Tiny pasta shapes 2-3 minutes
Lasagne takes about 12 minutes

Check just before the end of the cooking time by biting a piece of pasta.

It should be what the Italians call al dente, firm but not too hard or soft.

Once it has reached this stage it should be drained thoroughly and served immediately!

This pasta machine can be brought for Argos for £17.99.

I don't see the point in buying the pasta bags from the supermarkets anymore as it is so quick to make you own fresh pasta. You know what the ingredients are, no added chemicals or artificial colourings. This is an ideal present for the keen chef!