Pasta Machines

[Sue]

A query to find out if anyone has one and uses it or is it in the back of the cupboard?
I've seen manual ones advertised and also electric ones, so don't know which would be better, but I'd like to have a go at making pasta. Thinking both spag and ravioli
Sue

[JennieAtkinson]

Sue, mine is at the back of the cupboard during the summer, but it will be coming out this weekend. I find its a bit of winter thing really, as I need to be a bit organised with ingredients and drying time, but the effort is really worth it.

I have got a manual machine and its pretty good. So quick and really no effort at all. The biggest problem I find is drying the pasta before storing it. My husband and I were only discussing this last night and we've decided to make smaller quantities this year, but more often. Previously I've made larger quantities and felt the need to store it.

Let us know if you get one.

[HeyWayne]

We have one in the back of our cupboard. For us, it just seems we never have enough space.

[scared55]

We have had one for a decade. Its use is spasmodic but it is used and appreciated.

Although it isn't in regular use, it is not the least used piece of 'must have' that we possess.

KK

[Flummery]

Like bread, I make pasta by hand. It requires a bit of kneeding and the rolling is a test of wrist strength but I love doing it. Better than ironing! In Italy I bought 3 small 'rolling pins' with thick, medium and thin ridges to cut the pasta. The thick one you can roll in one direction then turn through a few degrees and cut again which gives you diamond shapes. These were used in the area I stayed in Italy with a tomato and borlotti bean sauce - fan-blinkin'-tastic! I love peasant food. (OMG, perhaps I'm a peasant?)

[shirlthegirl43]

I love peasant food. (OMG, perhaps I'm a peasant?)

Better prospects than being a pheasant near Sewer Rat

[Flummery]

When I nip into the garden I tuck in me feathers in case he sees me!

[scared55]

When I nip into the garden I tuck in me feathers in case he sees me!

So that's what the ladies mean by 'Nip and Tuck'. I've often wondered.

KK

[TPeers]

Sue, I have both a hand machine and an attachment for my Kenwood. I would say that I use the kenwood more, mainly because Richard has so much fun making pasta! You know what it is like - boys and toys! The hand machine is great for lasagne sheets, which I can't get from the kenwood - but I find making the dough very hard on the hands as I have a few joint problems, it has to be hard yet pliable, too soft and it just gunges the machine up, too hard and the rollers can't cope.

It's an excelent way of getting some eggs into Pippa! She loves pasta of almost any type, long spaghetti is the current favourite.

(I even sneaked some meat into the sauce!)

[Bren In Pots]

I use my pasta maker most weeks its not a hand one tho, it looks a bit like a mincer and fits on the front of my Kenwood Chef.
Then for drying the pasta DH make a areal type thingie stand out of wood dowel.

[scared55]

Then for drying the pasta DH make a areal type thingie stand out of wood dowel.

We drape it over the clothes airer - in front of a radiator if appropriate.

KK

[shirlthegirl43]

Hmm, must see if mother-in-law has a pasta maker for the Kenwood (I pinch all her attachments coz she doesn't use them).

Can someone post a recipe for pasta in the Kenwood please?

[Bren In Pots]

Shirley I use 4oz plain flour, 5oz semolina flour, 2 eggs or (one large) a drop of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Mix with dough hook then put through pasta maker.

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks Bren.

[smallblueplanet]

Sorry to hi-jack but we've a kenwood chef and I was thinking about getting a pasta attachment for it - looked at them and though, nah bet they don't work.....so are they worth it and how much mess/trouble are they?

I wouldn't want to pay out for one and then have it join the manual pasta machine that sits at the back of the cupboard (manual is too much hard-work & paff!).