Fresh Pasta Dough

Directions

1. 1
   Mix dough Mound the all-purpose flour in the center of a clean work surface or in a large wide bowl and form a well in the middle.
2. 2
   In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and salt with a fork until smooth, then pour into the well.
3. 3
   Begin to work the flour into the eggs with the fork.
4. 4
   Then use your hands to work the rest of the flour into the mixture, a bit at a time, just to form a sticky dough (dont force all the flour to be incorporated; its okay if some remains on the work surface).
5. 5
   Knead dough Start working the dough with your hands to form a rounded mass for kneading.
6. 6
   Knead dough about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
7. 7
   Scrape any loose bits of dough from the work surface with a bench scraper.
8. 8
   Rest dough Form dough into a ball.
9. 9
   Wrap tightly in plastic and let rest 1 1/2 hours at room temperature.
10. 10
    Roll dough with machine Use a bench scraper to cut dough into eight equal pieces (four for filled pasta shapes and lasagne).
11. 11
    Working with one piece at a time (keep remaining pieces covered with a clean kitchen towel), flatten dough into an oblong shape somewhat narrower than the pasta machines thickest setting (number 1).
12. 12
    Very lightly dust with all-purpose flour and feed through machine.
13. 13
    Fold dough in thirds and rotate 90 degrees.
14. 14
    Pass through two more times on the same setting to smooth dough and increase its elasticity.
15. 15
    Adjust the setting to the next level (number 2), and pass pasta dough through two times, gently supporting it with the palm of your hand as it emerges.
16. 16
    Continue to pass through ever-finer settings, once on each setting.
17. 17
    End with next-to-thinnest setting for pastas and lasagne; thinnest setting for ravioli (lasagne should be slightly thicker; filled pastas, thinner, almost transparent).
18. 18
    If dough bubbles or tears, simply pass through one or two more times to patch the dough (dust lightly with more all-purpose flour if dough is sticking).
19. 19
    As each sheet of dough has been rolled to the desired thickness, immediately cut into desired shapes or strands, according to the instructions that follow.
20. 20
    Alternatively, roll pasta by hand Divide dough into pieces, as above.
21. 21
    Lightly dust a clean work surface with all-purpose flour.
22. 22
    With a rolling pin, vigorously roll out dough to a very thin circle, applying even pressure and working from the center out, without actually rolling over edges (which would cause them to stick to the work surface, and inhibit stretching).
23. 23
    Do not bear down too hard or dough will tear.
24. 24
    Roll constantly for several minutes, until dough is as thin as possible (it should be almost translucent).
25. 25
    If it starts to shrink back as you roll, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rest 10 minutes before resuming.
26. 26
    To cut strands by hand, working with one sheet at a time, lightly fold dough into thirds, and use a pastry wheel or a sharp knife to cut desired thickness.
27. 27
    Drape dough over a drying rack until only slightly tacky, 10 to 15 minutes.
28. 28
    Run dough sheet through the pasta machine (fitted with the appropriate attachment) to cut into strands, including tagliatelle or spaghetti.
29. 29
    (If making pappardelle, cut by hand into 1-inch-thick strands fig.
30. 30
    5.1; there is no setting on machines for this shape.)
31. 31
    Then immediately drape strands over rack until they are almost dry and do not stick together, about 20 minutes.
32. 32
    If not cooking immediately, keep strands flat on a baking sheet lightly dusted with semolina flour (or cornmeal); cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
33. 33
    To dry and store longer (up to 2 weeks), follow instructions on page 363.
34. 34
    Before making pasta dough, clear ample counter space for kneading, laying, and cutting the dough.
35. 35
    You will need room to dry the strands.
36. 36
    If you dont have a wooden drying rack (a laundry or dish rack works just fine), get creative.
37. 37
    You can lay the strands out on tabletops or drape them over chair backs; cover the chairs with clean dishcloths, and lightly dust the flat surfaces with semolina flour.
38. 38
    Eggs and flour should be at room temperature to ensure that they combine well.
39. 39
    When mixing the dough, hold back on adding all of the flour called for in the recipe until you are sure it will be needed, which can vary depending on the freshness of the egg, among other factors.
40. 40
    Work with just one piece of dough at a time, rolling it out and then immediately cutting it into shapes before starting on the next piece.
41. 41
    When resting or storing fresh pasta on baking sheets, first sprinkle them lightly and evenly with semolina flour, which is coarser than other types of flour and keeps the dough from sticking more effectively.
42. 42
    Coarse-ground cornmeal is a good substitute.