A classic Italian dish that is easy to make is pasta.Fresh noodles can be made with a pasta maker.By preparing your dough and making your noodles thin enough to cook, you can use your pasta maker like an expert and create beautiful dishes for your friends and family to enjoy.
Step 1: Divide the dough into pieces.
Your pieces should be small enough to fit in your machine.Your dough should be freshly-made and have rested in plastic wrap for around 20 minutes.You will only be working with one piece of dough at a time, so you can keep the remaining 3 wrapped in plastic so that they don't dry out.Thebench scraper is the best tool for this.A large knife can be used.Before you start using your pasta machine, you should make your dough.
Step 2: Prepare your dough by flattening it into a shape.
It is possible to spread out your dough piece into a rectangular shape that is as wide as your pasta machine's opening.The dough can be gently kneaded using the heel of your palm.Don't spread your dough out too much, keep it about half a inch thick.Not to make it thinner, but to get your dough ready for the machine.You don't need to use your hands for this step.The dough will be too flattened by a rolling pin.
Step 3: Dust your piece of dough.
You need to flour your dough every time you feed it.It's easier to work with and less sticky when you flour it.If you want to grab the dough without tearing it, you should cover your hands with flour.
Step 4: Attach the machine to the counter, table, or cutting board.
Make sure you have enough room to turn the crank, and that your pasta machine is attached to a secure surface.The widest setting is usually called number 1 on most pasta machines.It's a good idea to read the manual on your machine before you use it to make sure you're aware of all the precautions you need to take.
Step 5: Feed the first piece of dough.
Slowly insert your dough into the pasta machine while the crank is turned.If you want your dough to be evenly spread, use your crank slowly and steadily.If you want to avoid damage to your machine, try not to turn the crank too fast.It's important to catch the dough before it falls onto a hard surface.It is possible to have a friend turn the crank while you feed the dough through the machine.
Step 6: You can shorten the dough by folding it into thirds.
Take each end of your dough and fold it towards the middle, creating a small envelope shape out of it.Press lightly on the top of the dough to stick it together, but not so hard that it changes the shape of it.
Step 7: When the dough comes out of the machine, sprinkle flour on it.
You need to dust your dough in flour every time it comes out of your pasta machine to keep it from sticking to the machine or your hands.Dust the dough and the surface around it with a light coating to keep it from tearing or sticking.To make sure the dough doesn't stick to you as you handle it, you can keep your hands covered in flour.
Step 8: The dough should be put into the machine about 5 more times.
If you want your pasta maker to work, you need to keep folding your dough and flouring it.This will make the dough thinner.Make sure to grab the dough with your hand when it leaves the machine to prevent it from falling onto a hard surface.Your machine should be on the largest setting for the first five pass-throughs so that it doesn't get too thick.
Step 9: The machine should be turned to a thinner setting.
Depending on how thin you want your noodles to be, you can set your machine to a smaller setting as you put your dough through it.You should check the recipe to see how thin you want your dough to be.
Step 10: Attach your pasta maker to create noodles.
You can cut your dough with an attachment on your pasta machine.The attachment will look different depending on what type of pasta you are making.Feed your dough into your machine based on the instructions in the manual, and then catch it with your hands before it hits a counter or table.If you want to make stuffed pasta, you should cut your dough with a knife.If you have a decent sized pasta piece, you can place your filling in it.
Step 11: You should repeat the steps with each piece of dough.
You can use the rest of your dough after you make noodles out of one piece of dough.You want to cook your noodles right away so that they don't dry up and become hard.You can keep the noodles that are already made on the drying rack or baking sheet.Dusting your noodles will keep them from sticking together.