• There’s something magical about making your own pasta from scratch. It’s a simple yet rewarding process that transforms just a few basic ingredients into a comforting dish that’s hard to beat. Homemade pasta offers a deliciously fresh alternative to store-bought varieties, with a texture and flavour that’s unmatched.

     

    Makes: 300g dough
    INGREDIENTS:

    3 eggs
    300g cake flour
    15ml olive oil

    METHOD:

    Combine all the ingredients in a food processor until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Remove and knead until smooth, elastic and slightly moist to the touch. Cover and rest. The dough can also be mixed by hand.

    SHAPES AND FILLINGS

    Tortellini
    (Half-moon)

    1. Roll out the pasta dough to the desired width. Cut out circles of between 5cm – 7cm in diameter. Cover the pasta with a damp cloth so that it does not dry out.
    2. Place 5ml stuffing in the centre of each circle. Brush one side of the circle with egg wash or water. Fold over to enclose the filling and to form a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together to seal.
    3. Take a half-moon in both hands and shape around the index finger until the ends curl around and overlap slightly. Press firmly so that the shape remains curled. Turn upwards to make a groove around the edge.
    4. Set aside until ready to cook.

    Raviolo (Square)

    1. Roll out 2 equal-sized sheets of pasta and trim all the edges.
    2. Place the filling on one of the sheets at about 5cm – 6cm intervals. Brush between the fillings with an egg wash. Place the second sheet of pasta over the first and press the pasta between the mounds of stuffing, ensuring that all the air has been removed.
    3. Using a pastry cutter, cut out the ravioli. Set aside until ready to cook.

    Chicken filling

    Makes filling for about 50 tortellini

    500g roast chicken
    100g Feta
    20ml flat-leaf parsley, chopped
    30ml watercress, blanched and finely chopped
    zest of 1 lemon
    roasting juices from the chicken, reduced
    Parmesan, grated
    salt and crushed black pepper, to taste

    Combine all the ingredients.

    Butternut filling

    Makes filling for about 50 tortellini

    200g butternut, cubed to 5mm, roasted
    30ml Parmesan, grated
    120g Ricotta
    60g pine nuts, toasted
    pinch of ground nutmeg
    5ml flat-leaf parsley, chopped
    salt and finely grated black pepper, to taste

    Combine all the ingredients and lightly mash together.

    ALSO SEE: Creamy mince pasta

    Creamy mince pasta

    Feature image: Pexels