Catherine Fulvio's Pasta Making

Method

1. This is the traditional method of making pasta. You sift the flour and salt onto a clean work surface and make a well in the centre with your fist.
2. Beat the eggs and oil together and pour into the well.
3. Gradually mix the liquid ingredients into the flour, using the fingers of one hand.
4. Knead the pasta until it is smooth.
5. Wrap it in cling film and allow it to rest for at least thirty minutes before attempting to roll out. It will make the pasta will be much more elastic.
6. If you prefer to use a food processor, you start by sifting the flour and salt into the bowl.
7. Pour in the beaten eggs and oil, together with any flavourings and process until the dough begins to come together. Turn out and knead until smooth.
8. Wrap in cling film and rest for at least thirty minutes.

Rolling out using a Pasta Machine

1. Feed the rested dough through the widest setting several times and then pass the pasta through the machine, narrowing the setting by one notch each time, until the required thickness is reached.
2. Generally the second from last setting is best for tagliatelle and the finest setting is used for ravioli or other pasta that is to be filled.
3. Once the required thickness is reached, hang the pasta over a piece of dowelling or a clean broom handle to dry a little. This will make cutting easier as the pasta won't be as sticky, although if you are making stuffed pasta, drying isn't necessary because it needs to be slightly sticky to adhere properly.
4. Fit the appropriate cutters to the machine. Pass the pasta through, then transfer to a tray covered with a lightly dusting of flour.
5. Toss the pasta lightly in the flour or drape the pasta over the dowelling or broom handle again allowing it to dry a little until ready to cook.

Rolling out by Hand

1. On a clean, but not floured, surface, roll out one third of the dough to a 5mm (1/4 inch) thickness.
2. Lift the dough from the surface and rotate 45o. The dough should cling, but not stick, to the surface. This helps in the stretching process.
3. Continue rolling, lifting and rotating until the dough is very thin. Repeat with remaining dough.

Cook the Pasta

1. As a guide, you will need four litres, or seven pints, of water and 45ml (3 tbsp) of salt to every 350-450g (12 oz-1lb) of pasta.
2. A tablespoon of olive oil will help to stop the water boil over and prevent the pasta sticking but if you have enough water in the pan and you stir the pasta as it goes in, it will not stick anyway.
3. Add the pasta to a large pan of boiling salted water and stir once to prevent sticking. Do not cover the pan, or the water will boil over.
4. Quickly bring the pasta back to a rolling boil, stir once and boil until al dente, literally translated 'to the tooth.' The pasta should be just firm to the bite; it should not have a hard centre, nor should it be very floppy.
5. Calculate the cooking time from the moment the pasta starts to boil again.
6. Fresh unfilled pasta such as spaghetti and tagliatelle, it usually takes two to three minutes to cook. But note that very thin pasta can be ready almost as soon as the water returns to the boil.
7. For fresh filled pasta, such as ravioli, and tortellini, allow five to ten minutes.
8. Quickly drain the pasta well using a large colander or sieve. Hold back 30-45ml (2-3 tbsp) of the cooking water because this will help the sauce to cling to the pasta.
9. Dress the pasta immediately with the sauce, oil or butter and serve hot pasta straight away.
10. It is up to you whether you toss the sauce before serving or serve it piled on top of the pasta. Either way, the pasta should be tossed with the sauce before eating.