Homemade pasta

Posted: Thu, Jul 29 2010, 1:25 pm Post subject: homemade pasta

I was given a pasta machine and have some questions.

1- when cooking pasta, it says in the instruction booklet (and on various place on the net) that the cooking time is very short- between 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on the source and of course the thickness of the pasta). However, I had the feeling that it came out a bit "munchy". Is it because I over cook? undercook? do not have the "right" type of flour (I use 70% whole wheat)?

2- I also made lasagna. Again, I did not bother putting it in the oven for as long as with regular store bough non fresh lasagna sheets, but we had the very distinct feeling it was not cooked. Does the cooking time differ with lasagna? I was under the assumption that is the fresh pasta is supposed to cooki very quickly then I shouldn't over bake it.

Please help. I'm thrilled with my new toy but it is not worth much if it doesn't come out tasty....

Posted: Fri, Jul 30 2010, 1:30 am Post subject: re: homemade pasta

Bump.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48156

I never made my own pasta as dh forbid it, said I had enough to do. I suggest you googleFresh Pasta recipes and see what comes up.

I DO remember that fresh pasta cooks differently than dried, though,.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 07 2007 Posts: 10429

Food connosooers say pasta should be cooked al dente--Italian for "a little bit munchy" Wink

--but you're the ones who have to eat it. If you like it softer, cook a bit longer. Who cares what the connoisseurs say?

Posted: Sat, Jul 31 2010, 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: re: homemade pasta