February is not only Black History Month but also seems to be the month of love. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” There is an entire day dedicated to love (Valentine’s Day). I think this memorable quote is especially important now with all the political controversy and extreme right and left wing opinions.
Now that I’ve referred to the hot topics a little bit, let’s get to one of the most important components of life. FOOD! More specifically, PASTA! Yes, it’s a carb and some do try to avoid it, but every once in awhile you should indulge in the luscious Italian dish. What better way to love yourself than trying a new delectable dish? There are no rules when it comes to Valentine’s Day so try making this Bolognese for yourself or share it with friends, loved ones, a significant other or someone you want to build a better connection with. It seems the country is dividing but food is the perfect way to bring people together.
Here’s what you’ll need for this completely homemade pasta:
2 cups flour plus more in needed
3 egg yolk
3 eggs
Water as needed
DOUGH
1. Dump flour onto a clean surface in a pile.
2. Make a deep well in the center of the pile.
3. Add yolks and whole eggs in the well.
4. Using a fork whisk together the eggs.
5. Slowly start to incorporate the flour into the eggs, do this until all flour is mixed and dough starts to form.
6. Using a bench scraper or chef's knife scrape all the stuck flour and egg into the dough.
7. Use your hands to form the dough ball and start kneading, scrape up flour as needed
8. Continue kneading until dough is smooth and dough is hard yet malleable. Add more flour if the dough is too soft or wet. Add a little water if the dough is too dry. (Be careful if you feel that the dough needs water because as you knead the dough the dough will hydrate itself).
9. Once you feel like the dough is good, wrap it in plastic and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour or store it for up to 7 days.
ROLLING IT OUT
10. Using a sharp knife cut the dough ball in half so that it's easier to roll.
11. Use a floured rolling pin to start to flatten the dough, use a little bit of flour on the dough if it starts to stick.
12. Continue rolling the dough until the dough is flat, even and thin enough so that you can see light through it or as thick or thin as you would like it.
13. Once you feel that the dough is to your liking now you can start cutting into the shape that you would like.
Tip: You can tell if the dough is even when you hold it up to the light, the spots where the light doesn't shine through as well as another spot, then the dough is not even.
CUTTING FOR LINGUETTINE OR FETTUCCINE
14. You can cut the edges of the dough to make a perfect rectangle if you want the pasta to be perfect. Or if you're like me and would rather have more pasta and don't care about the look too much you can leave it as it is.
15. Flour the surface of the dough and fold it on the short edge and flour the top (use light pressure when spreading the flour as you do not want to seal the fold.
Repeat step 2 until the dough is about 2 inches wide.
16. Select how wide you want the noodle (thinner for linguettine or wider for fettuccine) and use a knife cut the pasta, be sure to cut it as evenly as possible so that it cooks evenly.
17. You can portion your new pasta and keep it in separate piles uncovered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, don't be afraid when your pasta is dry it is OK just delicate, so be careful.
COOKING
18. Bring a pot of water to a boil and heavily salt the water till it's as salty as the sea. ( you do not have to salt the water if you are concerned about your salt intake.)
19. Once the water is at a full boil drop your pasta in and watch it because it will cook fast. So be sure to pull it out once it is to your liking.
Bolognese
4 Tomatoes cut into ½ cubes
1 Bell pepper sliced thinly and cut in half
½ Yellow onion sliced thinly
2 Garlic cloves smashed and chopped
1 Celery stalk roughly chopped
½ Carrot stick roughly chopped
1 Can of tomato paste (optional)
Salt and pepper
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (optional spiciness)
1 Tbsp ground paprika
1 lb of ground beef, chicken, turkey or pork.
Olive oil for sautéing
Water from pasta or just water
Steps:
1. Coat the bottom of a large pot with olive oil and turn onto medium heat.
2. When you oil is hot add the carrots and cook until they are semi soft then add the rest of the vegetables and tomatoes.
3. Add basil, Rosemary, and red pepper and stir
4. Turn down to low heat and cover, make sure it does not boil. Add water if necessary.
5. In a separate skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add the ground meat.
6. Season with salt, pepper and paprika and cook until brown all around and take off heat.
7. Once the tomatoes have cooked down and all of the veggies are soft add the ground meat and mix together. Let simmer for a little bit longer about 15 minutes. Add water if necessary.
8. At this point, you can add the tomato paste and mix in water until it is to the thickness you want or not add the paste and have a thin sauce.
Tip: If you add the tomato paste be sure to taste it and add more seasonings as needed.
Now that you know what you need here are the steps. Plan a day for yourself, a girls’ night or a date night and try it!
Cooking can be the perfect activity because no cooking experience is ever the same. You can try it to relax and enjoy a meal that you created all on your own and all for you or make it a group activity.
