Let’s face it, pasta has quite the bad reputation lately. We love it, but generally speaking, it’s high in carbs and low in protein and fiber. So we avoid it. But what if there were a homemade pasta recipe that’s packed with protein and fiber and better than any pasta you can buy?
Read about why you need protein and carbohydrates
What’s that you say? Homemade pasta is for a professional chef with pasta rollers or Italian grandmothers with decades of kneading experience? Well, think again because this homemade pasta recipe requires no special knowledge, no special equipment and no kneading at all. In addition, it takes only a few minutes to prepare and only about two minutes to cook.
For this homemade pasta recipe, you will need:
·A standard sized food processor
·3 cups of flour: 2 cups all-purpose and 1 cup whole wheat
·5 large eggs
With the above ingredients, you will yield five (5) servings, each with:
•325 calories
•14 grams of protein
•5 grams of fiber
Homemade Pasta Recipe
1. Eggs
Make sure the eggs are room temperature (about 20 minutes outside of the refrigerator). Crack them into the food processor. Whir the food processor for a second or two to break the yolks.
2. Flour
Measure the flour without packing it down. To do this, begin by stirring your flour with an egg-beater or a fork. Then measure spoon the flour into your measuring cup. Add the all-purpose flour first and whir the food processor to incorporate. Then add the wheat flour.
3. Judge your dough
Here’s where it’s okay to be judgmental.
Did your dough form a ball that isn’t sticking to the sides of the food processor? If so, skip to step 4.
If the dough did not form a ball, add a tablespoon of water and whir again. Repeat until the dough forms a ball that doesn’t stick to the sides of the food processor.
If the dough sticks to the sides, add a dusting of flour and whir again. Repeat as needed.
4. Rest your dough
Your dough is like a baby – after all that excitement, it needs to rest if you want it to behave well. Wrap the dough in saran wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes on the counter.
5. Divide, roll, cut, cook
Set a pot of water to boil on your stove.
Divide your dough into five equal portions.
Use a rolling pin, roll ought your dough one portion at a time, stretching as you roll by pressing down on and dragging the dough slightly with your rolling pin.
Roll the dough to 1/8 of an inch or thinner. And then cut in whatever shape(s) you want – little squares, long thin strips, rectangles (which you can pinch in the middle to make bow ties).
Boil each portion for two minutes, remove with a slotted spoon or strainer and rinse.
Top with something delicious such as homemade pesto. Or try this version of pasta salad: season the pasta with salt, pepper, olive oil and fresh garlic and then add a cup or two of arugula.
Read more about protein
Enjoy your creation!
Photo Credit: kulinarno
