Fresh Pappardelle Noodles Food

CHEF ANNE'S PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Place the flour on a clean, dry work surface. Make a hole (this is also called a well) in the center of the flour pile that is about 8 inches wide (bigger is definitely better here). Crack all of the eggs and the yolk into the hole and add the olive oil, salt and 1 to 2 tablespoons water.
• Using a fork, beat the eggs together with the olive oil, water (or more if needed) and salt. Using the fork, begin to incorporate the flour into the egg mixture, be careful not to break the sides of the well or the egg mixture will run all over your board and you will have a big mess! Also, don't worry about the lumps. When enough flour has incorporated into the egg mixture that it will not run all over the place when the sides of the well are broken, begin to use your hands to really get everything well combined. If the mixture is tight and dry, wet your hands and begin kneading with wet hands. When the mixture has really come together to a homogeneous mixture, THEN you can start kneading.
• When kneading it is VERY important to put your body weight into it, get on top of the dough to really stretch it and not to tear the dough. Using the heels of your palms, roll the dough to create a very smooooooth, supple dough. When done, the dough should look VERY smooth and feel almost velvety. Kneading will usually take from 8 to 10 minutes for an experienced kneader and 10 to 15 for an inexperienced kneader. Put your body weight into it, you need to knead! This is where the perfect, toothsome texture of your pasta is formed. Get in there and have fun!
• When the pasta has been kneaded to the perfect consistency, wrap it in plastic and let rest for at least 1 hour. If using immediately, do not refrigerate.
• To roll the pasta: Cut off 1/3 of the pasta dough, reserve the rest and keep it covered.
• Squash the pasta with the heels of your hands to facilitate it going through the pasta roller. Dust with flour. Put the pasta through the roller set on number one. Roll the dough through 2 times, dusting it with flour if it feels sticky or tacky.
• Fold the pasta into thirds and put it through the machine on number one again.
• Change the setting on the pasta roller to number two and run the pasta through. Continue to roll the pasta through the machine, changing the setting each time to a larger number (this will make the opening on the pasta machine smaller). When you get to the desired thin-ness (I recommend number six), cut the pasta into 10-inch lengths. Flour the dough generously and stack them in a pile. Cover the stack with plastic or a clean tea towel and proceed rolling the rest of the pasta.
• When the pasta is all rolled, take 3 sheets of pasta and fold both ends of the pasta over each other until they meet in the middle.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the pasta rolls into 1-inch widths. Unroll the pasta "ribbons" and dust with semolina and reserve on sheet trays.
• When ready to use, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.

FRESH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Whisk together both flours and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Make a well in center; add eggs and 2 tablespoons oil. Using a fork, work flour mixture into wet ingredients, slowly incorporating all flour in bowl to form a sticky dough. Transfer to a lightly floured work surface and knead dough until all bits are incorporated. Continue kneading until very smooth and no longer sticky, adding additional 00 flour as necessary, about 5 minutes. Place an overturned bowl over dough and let stand 1 hour (or wrap in plastic and refrigerate up to overnight; let stand at room temperature 1 hour before using).
• Dust work surface with semolina. Cut dough into 16 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, and keeping the rest covered with plastic wrap, flatten into an oblong shape. Very lightly dust with 00 flour; pass through a pasta machine at its widest setting. Fold in half, rotate 90 degrees, and pass through two more times on same setting to smooth dough and increase elasticity. Adjust machine to next setting and pass pasta dough through twice more, gently supporting it with the palm of your hand as it emerges. Continue to pass through ever-finer settings, once each, ending at second or third to last; dough should be very thin, and you should be able to see the outline of your hand through it, but it should not be translucent. Lay dough flat on an 00 flour-dusted surface, or drape over a pasta rack or backs of chairs, until just tacky, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Fold pasta into quarters; cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Unfold and drape over rack until almost dry, about 20 minutes. (If not cooking immediately, you can gather several strands and form into a nest shape. Place pasta on a semolina-dusted baking sheet and let dry 24 hours. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.)

PAPPARDELLE (EGG PASTA DOUGH)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the 00 and semolina flours and salt and form a well. Add the egg and yolks to the center of the well. Using a fork, slowly start to incorporate the flour into the eggs to form a rough dough. You may add a splash of water if the dough is too dry or a dusting of flour if it is too wet.
• Lightly flour a smooth work surface and pour the dough onto the flour. Knead the dough until it springs back when you press a finger into it, 10 to 12 minutes. Flatten the dough into an even square. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Cut the dough into 3 pieces. Set up a pasta roller according to the manufacturer's directions and set it at the widest setting. Dust one section of the dough with semolina flour and press firmly to flatten the dough to 1/4 inch. Roll the dough through the machine on the widest setting. Fold the pasta dough in thirds and dust the outside with flour. Send it through the widest setting again. Reduce the setting to the next setting. Send the dough through the machine. Fold it in thirds once again and send through the setting one more time. Continue sending the dough through the machine, reducing the setting each time, until the desired thickness is reached, about 1/8 inch. Lay the sheet out on the counter and dust with flour. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut strips 1 inch by 10 inches. Dust the strips with more flour. Continue with the remaining dough.

HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Make the dough. Sift both flours together on a large work surface and make a well in the center. Place the eggs, olive oil and a pinch of salt in a bowl, then pour into the well; with a fork, break up the eggs, then gradually mix the wet ingredients into the flour mixture just until combined.
• Knead by hand. Gather the dough into 2 equal-size balls; flour the surface. To knead each piece, push the dough away from you with the heel of your hand, fold the dough over itself and turn it counterclockwise. Continue pushing, folding and turning until the dough is smooth and elastic, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Rest the dough. Pat each piece into a ball. Flatten slightly, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. (You can freeze 1 ball for later, or roll out both and freeze the cut pasta.)
• Roll out the dough. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and dust with flour. Starting in the middle, push away from you with a rolling pin, easing up on the pressure as you approach the edge. Continue rolling the dough into a sheet, turning occasionally, until you can see your fingers through the bottom. Let dry about 10 minutes.
• Cut the pappardelle. Dust the top of the sheet of dough with flour and loosely roll it into a cylinder. Using a sharp knife, cut into 3/4-inch-wide slices. Unwrap the noodles; dust with semolina and gently toss to separate. Place on a sheet pan and cover with a tea towel until ready to cook (or freeze in freezer bags for up to 2 months).

HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Whisk the "00" flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl, then make a well in the center. Whisk the whole eggs and egg yolk with the olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a measuring cup, then pour into the well. Stir together until a craggy dough forms. (If the dough is too crumbly, add up to 1 more tablespoon water.) Turn out the dough onto a generously floured surface and knead, folding the dough onto itself, until smooth, about 10 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate overnight; bring the dough to room temperature before using.
• Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces. Cover 3 of the pieces and set aside. On a semolina- dusted surface, roll out the remaining piece of dough as thin as possible with a rolling pin so it is nearly see-through. Roll up the sheet into a thin log. Slice crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick strips. Transfer the pasta to a baking sheet dusted with semolina, then sprinkle with more semolina. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to cook.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pappardelle and cook until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Toss with your sauce, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen.