Homemade pasta
During the days of the coronavirus emergency with its requirements of self-isolation, involving the children in cooking dinner can be a great way to spend time – and a great way to teach them a skill or two! In no time, you'll find yourself at home with little chefs eager for you to get a taste of their food. A perfect recipe for the first few attempts at homemade pasta? We suggest strappatelle – made with flour, water and salt, three very simple ingredients available in every kitchen! The fun part will be to have the children "tear" up the pasta for irregular-shaped pieces to cook and eat.
Homemade pasta, the best way to start
If you want to introduce your children to the kitchen for the first time, what could be better than starting with homemade pasta? Nothing more fun than literally letting your children get their hands into the dough. Being able to use their hands to make the pasta is undoubtedly the most engaging aspect for a budding little chef. Not to mention you’ll help them become familiar with some of the ingredients, the measurements and the cooking method. And then, by choosing the less elaborate flours, you can also start to make your kids more health- conscious, too!
What goes with homemade pasta?
The easiest sauce to make with children is undoubtedly pesto; fragrant, fresh and very quick – provided you use a mixer instead of a mortar and pestle! In this way, even the youngest kids can make their own contribution to the success of the dish. Let the children choose the fresh basil leaves, let them clean them and then help them put all the ingredients in the mixe. Two minutes in the food processor and everything is ready!
The Recipe: Homemade Pasta with Pesto (or Strappatelle al Pesto)
Homemade pasta ingredients:
14 oz flour, 2 cups water, A pinch of salt
Ingredients for the pesto:
30 leaves of fresh basil, 1 ½ oz pecorino cheese, 1 ½ oz parmigiano cheese, 4 oz pine nuts, 1/2 clove of garlic, Extra-virgin olive oil
How to make homemade pasta with pesto:
Place the flour on a floured surface and add the water and salt, a little at a time. Mix together until the dough is smooth and elastic for homemade pasta. Cover in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, let the children help you prepare the pesto: wash the basil leaves, dry them with a paper towel and put them in the mixer together with a clove of garlic, pine nuts and a little extra-virgin olive oil. Process in the mixer for a creamy consistency. Add the cheese and a drop of oil if needed. Mix well and set aside. Take the dough out and let the children tear it into pieces of pasta, which you will crush a little bit and leave on a floured surface. In the meantime, bring the water to a boil, salt it and cook the “ripped up” pasta for 5 minutes. Drain the pasta and dress it with the pesto. Mix well and add a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano if necessary. Homemade pasta with pesto is ready!