pasta does not grow on trees

Do you remember that video where spaghetti was picked off of trees by "pasta harvesters?" Yes, it was a hoax, but I remember this being very confusing as a child. I mean, if it didn't grow on trees, where did it grow?
 
Ever since, I have this weird desire to make my own pasta.  I'm facinated by pasta...how it goes from stretchy dough, to brittle stick, to slimy noodle.  So call it an impulse buy if you must, but as I was passing the clearance aisle at Ross (shhh...don't tell) the other day, I saw this pasta roller and decided I must have it.

 So this week, I did it.  I made pasta.  Call me Queen Linguini if you must, but I think it turned out pretty darn awesome.

My sister helped hold down the machine because the darn thing wouldn't attach to my counter.

It was much easier than I thought.  Here's the recipe I used:

Lemon Herb Pasta

2C Flour
1/2 TSP Salt
2 Eggs
1/4C Water
1/4C Fresh Lemon Juice
1TSP Basil
1TSP Olive Oil

Mix flour, basil, salt.  In another bowl, mix egges, water, lemon juice and olive oil.  Add to flour mixture.  Kneed for 10 minutes or until you get what feels like carpal tunnel.  Let sit for 10 minutes under a damp cloth.  Roll through machine on flat roller setting, then again through linguini setting.  Let site for 30 minutes, then boil for 5 minutes to cook.


I combined it with my favorite pasta sauce:

Pasta Ala' Amber

3TBL Olive Oil
3TBL Butter
3TBL Pasta Water
6 Cloves of Garlic (yes, six!)
1LB Shrimp
Juice from 1/4 Lemon
Fresh Parsley (to taste)
Fresh Basil (to taste)
Fresh Ground Sea Salt (to taste)
Fresh Ground Paper (to taste)
1/3C White Wine (plus a glass for the cook!)
Peas (Optional)
Mushrooms (Optional)

Tah Dah!  It was fabulous!