Thursday, June 24, 2010

Easy Steps of Making Fresh Pasta using ImperiaPro Pasta Machine



I have a new addiction! I am coming clean and opening up to my supportive viewers.

I am completely addicted to my new CucinaPro Imperia Pasta Machine. In the last two weeks I have made Fettuccine, Angle Hair, Spaghetti, Orchetti, and Ravioli!!! IN TWO WEEKS!!!

I know...I know...Like I said before I am addicted and the first step is to admit you have a problem. (Problem!?!?....)

I can't help but to love this machine. It is so easy to work and you can a attach it to your table and it does not move!!! It is easy to clean. It is small and PERFECT!
Not to mention it makes incredibly YUMMY pasta!

Another positive note: MY Girls LOVE TO MAKE IT WITH ME!!!! It is so much fun for my girls. The pasta machine is easy enough for them too!!!! In my opinion, there is nothing better then to get your kiddos in the kitchen and learn the appreciation of food. (Plus, the kids tend to eat the pasta dinner up and fill their bellies beaming with pride!)

Let me start by the simple steps of making homemade pasta and a fabulous simple recipe.

Homemade Pasta Dough Recipe

2 Cps Unbleached All-purpose Flour (I recommend King Arthur)
1 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Large Eggs
1 TB Warm Water

1. Add all ingredients into a food processor. Add water by the Tablespoon as needed.
2. Let rest for 20 minutes.



My Alexandra is my helper in these photos.
The first step in making homemade pasta you need to send it through the very last setting. (Mine is 6) It will smooth it out. Fold it in half. Add flour. Send it back through. Repeat this step at least 6 to 7 times.

Move the setting down one and repeat the steps above a few times. Continue to work your way down the settings. Run the dough through the pasta machine a few times adding flour as you go until the desired settings.

For the Spaghetti I used setting 3.
For the Angel Hair I used setting 2.
For Ravioli I used setting 4.
For Fettuccine I used setting 5.


The next step is choosing the pasta size. For the Fettuccine you use the thicker cutting of pasta and for angel hair or spaghetti you use the smaller cutting. If you are making ravioli you do not need to cut the pasta.



We used the smaller cutting which made perfect spaghetti noodles!


When boiling fresh pasta it only takes a few minutes. Stay close by so not to overcook.


This is the finished product. It was wonderful!!! I am not sure how to put it into words the difference of fresh pasta to boxed, but YUM! It is a must try.



This is the finishing product of my fettuccine pasta! Isn't beautiful? I LOVE MY CUCINA IMPERIA! The fettuccine is made with a Creamy Homemade Pesto Sauce and Shrimp. It was FANTASTIC!!!



This is the homemade Ravioli. Sorry, I do not have a picture with it plated with my Marinara-Pesto Sauce that I call Giovanni Sauce. It was gone before I knew it.

My filling was:

8 oz. Ricotta
2 cps. Parm. Cheese
1 Egg
1/2 cp. Italian Shredded Cheese
Sea Salt and Pepper
1/2 cp. Chopped Parsley

1. Mixed it all together until well combined. I sat in the fridge until the Ravioli noodles were ready to fill. Each Ravioli was about 2 in. thickness. I cut the 2 in. thickness. Add a heaping teaspoon of the filling and then folded the top over and then sealed the edges! It was perfect!

You can find the CucinaPro Imperia almost EVERYWHERE! For around 60 dollars. It is well worth it! The kids and I are having so much fun with it and eating lots of wonderful fresh pasta!!!

Enjoy!!

20 comments:

  1. Haha.... your girl is having fun with the pasta machine huh! Oh yes, this is the real one not her 'play-doh'! ^_^ Hope you're having a great time with your girls, Miranda.
    Cheers, kristy

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  2. And it's fun to play with...your gal looks so sweet and pretty!

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  3. your pastas look terrific! It's so much fun making pasta at home - my daughter loves to help me as well!

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  4. you make this look so easy :) I have had my pasta maker for 20 years it still in the box, old fashion and stubborn for me I just revert to cutting by hand, hate the clean up, you made everyone of these perfect, and inspiring me to try it again. I made three different cut by hand pasta's...how did you make orechiette on this I just made them by hand I noticed you said you made them too, I wouldnt know how to make the little hats on the machine would love that tip.....looks great congrats on being a pro at your new machine, and the kids are gorgeous!

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  5. Everything looks so good! I love that it gets your girls involved! How fun! I also love all the photos (except of the finished ravioli) hehe!

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  6. I'm with you! There are far worse things to be addicted to. I'm going to try a combination of semolina and whole wheat pastry flours for my next batch.

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  7. I used to always want a pasta machine. I bought an attachment for my mixer but its a real pain to clean.
    Love the recipe for ravioli. I might cheat though and buy small wonton wrappers for my pasta ;)

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  8. shhhhh. you're telling people my secrets....fresh pasta is unequaled!

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  9. What adorable helpers you have! I love to make homemade pasta. It is so much heartier than store bought.

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  10. I have a confession....I have never made homemade pasta! I really need to give it a try because I know it's super delicious. Your pasta looks great. Do you ever freeze it?

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  11. Love making pasta and noodles. They are so fresh!

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  12. Even though I have the electric motor for my machine I usually have a fight on my hands for who gets to crank the machine between my 6 and 4 year old's. We have never taken the motor out of the box and don't expect I ever will...I wonder what I did with that receipt.

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  13. Uh, Miranda? When are you going to invite me over for dinner? Or lunch? Heck, I'd be over with bells on for breakfast, too!!

    It all looks amazing. You're an incredible cook. So daring. Do you find anyting daunting?

    Oh, and you must give (pls!) me that recipe for the creamy pesto sauce.
    ~ingrid

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  14. Miranda..you are so clever...homemade pasta are so much better in taste and it has no peservative at all. Glad your little helpers are having so much fun helping you out. Btw Alexandra and Bailey are growing up and they have your beauty too :)

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  15. That's so fun! I love homemade pasta too, so much better than store-bought.

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  16. Homemadepasta sings tome. Your raviolis are so much better than mine! You and your daughter are having so much fun with this toy. Such a pleasure to read.

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  17. Hey, these lovely gals r so adorable! Wish I've d machine too :)

    Oh, I've just revamped Luxury Indulgence. Pop over when u've time & let me noe ur views. Have a good weekend!

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  18. wow ur own pasta machine,looks like ur having fun!

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  19. I just can´t stop thinking about that fettuccine with shrimp sauce!! it looks so yummy!! I think I have a pasta emergency and I will have to have it for sinner today! There is no way I can get that out of my mind! I remember the last thing happened to me when I travelled to Argentina. They have the best with regards to pasta, and I was in one of those apartments in Buenos Aires when I smelled this aroma coming from my next door neighbor! I couldn´t help it and asked him for a taste!
    Brooke

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  20. I can set up my new idea from this post. It gives in depth information. Thanks for this valuable information for all,..
    Macchina per fare la pasta

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Thank you so much for letting me know how you feel about my dishes.