Fresh Pasta

Fresh pasta is such a treat and much easier than you think, you don’t even need a machine.  Mound four cups of all-purpose flour on a wooden surface, make a well in the middle and add four whole eggs, a splash of extra virgin olive oil and a half teaspoon of kosher salt.  Beat the eggs with a fork as you slowly incorporate the flour from the sides of the well careful to maintain the form by pushing up more flour from the bottom of the mound.  The dough will come together when about half the flour has been incorporated.  At this point knead the dough with the palms of your hands for about five minutes, cleaning and redusting your surface with flour if necessary.  When it’s elastic and just a little sticky wrap it in plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least twenty minutes.  On a clean freshly floured surface cut your dough ball into quarters and roll as thin as possible with a rolling pin or empty wine bottle before cutting into your desired shape with a butter knife.  It can sit for minutes or hours while you prepare your sauce and unlike dry pasta only takes minutes to cook.