How do you use a pasta machine?

crystaltipps

Firstly, Thank you so much for all the responses.

I don't get to car boot sales often enough BUT now I have passed my driving test this winter, I will certainly make an effort to get to some - I know you can get some great bargains at them - and you people certainly support that!

I think I will have a look at the threads linked above. See what others experiences are. I am very interested in having a crack and making some lasagne or ravioli sounds like a great idea. We love fresh pasta - you can REALLY taste the difference! I also like the idea of making a load to freeze and saving time when wanting some. And my eldest daughter has been bitten by the cooking from scratch bug for a few months now - aided by doing cookery at school. She made a fabulous sweet and sour from scratch and I think you could perhaps make egg noodles too? Does anyone know a recipe?

You are all very kind to offer your advice and it is much appreciated!

jumblejack

My pasta maker is an absolute dream to use. It is called pasta master by JMI.

It was free off feeecycle too!!

It makes everything, spaghetti, lasagne sheets and everything in-between.

You just put the ingredients in the top and minutes later it extrudes through your selected pasta shape die. It also drys it as it falls with a blower!!!

I cannot think of any machine that would make more of a case to justify it's place in my kitchen!

Justamum

jumblejack wrote: »

My pasta maker is an absolute dream to use. It is called pasta master by JMI.

It was free off feeecycle too!!

It makes everything, spaghetti, lasagne sheets and everything in-between.

You just put the ingredients in the top and minutes later it extrudes through your selected pasta shape die. It also drys it as it falls with a blower!!!

I cannot think of any machine that would make more of a case to justify it's place in my kitchen!

I couldn't find one by JMI, but does your look anything like this?

http://www.healthgoods.com/Lello_PastaMaster_Automatic_Pasta_Maker_p/lo-pastamaster.htm

JillS_2

crystaltipps wrote: »

Firstly, Thank you so much for all the responses.

I don't get to car boot sales often enough BUT now I have passed my driving test this winter, I will certainly make an effort to get to some - I know you can get some great bargains at them - and you people certainly support that!

Good idea to try car boots -- at least then if you end up not using it you won't have wasted too much money.

Judging from some of the responses in the thread there must be loads of machines sitting unused in people's cupboards so it might be worth looking/asking in your local Freecycle/Freegle.

crystaltipps

JillS wrote: »

Good idea to try car boots -- at least then if you end up not using it you won't have wasted too much money.

Judging from some of the responses in the thread there must be loads of machines sitting unused in people's cupboards so it might be worth looking/asking in your local Freecycle/Freegle.

Indeed - in fact if anyone is local to me (North Nottinghamshire) and wants to come to an arrangement, I would be happy to see if we can agree something. I have Ebay/Paypal - off to have a look there now too.

We had so much fun at car boots a few years ago - I used to give my children a pound and see which one could get the best 'bargain'! Now the weather is improving, I think it is time to join the fun again.

Actually quite excited by the idea of getting knee deep in flour and saving money whilst having better quality pasta with pesto!

jumblejack

Justamum wrote: »

I couldn't find one by JMI, but does your look anything like this?

http://www.healthgoods.com/Lello_PastaMaster_Automatic_Pasta_Maker_p/lo-pastamaster.htm

Yes. It is very similar. That one looks more compact and tidy though. I think mine is quite an old machine but it is a real gem to use. Bung in the ingredients and away it goes. No effort involved at all. Consistent results too.

Seakay

rinabean wrote: »

Start making pasta now, by hand. If you do that for a bit and you feel the machine would make continuing this habit easier then buy it. Otherwise it will just gather dust after being used once or twice.

I agree with this. Get a pasta book from the library and/or Google "fresh pasta no machine" for recipes and videos. The ingredients are not expensive and the flour keeps as well as any other.

Egg noodles are made in a very similar way to pasta (pasta can be made with or without egg)
I found this recipe online
http://localfoods.about.com/od/basics/r/eggnoodles.htm
but a friend who used to make them would use a potato ricer to make the noodles rather than rolling and cutting.

misskool

i have a noodle maker that I use to make pasta/noodles. mine has one side that flattens and another that cuts.

Egg noodles are dead easy. 1cup Flour, 1 egg, water to bind. Knead till smooth.
You can also make a variety of pasta that you don't get in supermarkets, I make buckwheat pasta often.

Ours get used every 2-3 weeks, I make 2-3 times the amount. You just dry the ones you're not using and it keeps in an airtight container for a few days (fridge if it has egg!)

angeltreats

I love my pasta machine. It's an Imperia and my inlaws bought it for me on my last birthday. Previously I had an Argos own brand one which was absolutely horrible to use and eventually went in the bin. I probably use it twice a month. I use 00 flour (100g flour to 1 egg, and a wee dash of olive oil), if I have no 00 flour I'll use strong flour which also gives good results. There is a definite knack to it but once you get the hang of it it's dead easy and pretty quick.

Oh and you really don't need to clean the machine. Just run a bit of leftover pasta dough through it. Definitely never wash it or get it wet! Sprinkle semolina on the pasta before rolling it and it won't stick.

Primrose

How many times a week do you eat pasta?
How many people in your house eat pasta?
Do you have the space to accommodate a pasta making machine?
Do you work and do you HONESTLY have time to make your own pasta?

Be honest with yourself here. How many times have we all thought we would like a kitchen gadget and then it has rotted in a cupboard somewhere and eventually ended up in a charity shop or car boot fair?