Monday, January 17, 2011

A Pasta Day

It's what some would probably call a "gloomy" day.  Overcast, dampish-cold, just the kind of day when an afghan (Barbara!) and a good book are the best companions you can find. It's a reading day.  A knitting day.  A spinning day.  A music day.  And it's also a pasta day.

MM--otherwise known as Mama Mia--LOVES to make spaghetti FROM SCRATCH.  Lots of yellow eggs (we're getting between 8 and 12 a day, now, from those little chicks we got back in June), some flour and the nifty pasta machine we bought for ten bucks at the flea market, and he's in business.  I used to think making pasta was a waste of time.  It was so cheap in the store, why in the world would anyone waste their time making it?!  Not anymore.  Once you've tasted homemade pasta, store-bought just can't compare!  And with homegrown eggs, the flavor is tops!

Today, he made enough pasta for a noodle supper as well as a spaghetti supper.  And remember those puffballs I harvested back in October?  Well...guess what!  They're in tonight's homemade spaghetti sauce, along with tons of garlic, home grown Oregano and Basil, and...of course, the lovely and lovingly made pasta.   MM cranks it out while I am on the receiving end of the machine, as it splits the sunny colored dough into strips, which find their way to the laundry drying rack where they crisp up and ultimately cook in the boiling water.  Tonight's flavor is Italian venison rather than sausage or hamburger.  Havested a year or so ago and preserved in jars, it's where I best like to see deer!


Good news on the accordion front!  It's in transit back here from the factory and I should have it early this week.  It seems a reed was faulty and the company replaced it.  So, Mama will have her squeezebox back very soon!

6 comments:

  1. That looks so good!
    Like you I always wondered why bother making pasta then I got a little handcranked roller and love it. It's a wet day here (at last!!) so after a girls lunch out to celebrate Mums birthday I just may have to come home and deal to that growing pile of eggs in the fridge and convert them to pasta. Out of curiosity do you dry your excess pasta and store in jars or do you freeze it?
    Thanks for the inspiration :-)

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  2. I've never had homemade pasta, but I'm sure it must be wonderful. I do admire so how you and MM use all your resources so wisely and well.

    Congratulations on your one-year blogiversary, Elora. I wasn't surprised to hear that you have a photography degree---I have noticed that you have a very discerning and artistic eye. You take gorgeous photos.

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  3. We made our own pasta for many years. With only two of us now, we buy the small boxes when they are on sale. We do still make pasta when we have guests. Love the way you make the most of a gloomy day.

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  4. Mmm fresh pasta! My mother in law has promised that next time I go over for a visit she's going to teach me how to make ravioli - from the pasta to the filling! I'm so excited!

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  5. Oh my, I need to pull out my pasta machine. There's nothing quite so nice as fresh pasta.

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  6. Julia,
    For the "extra" I leave it on the rack overnight and then put it in half-gallon jars on set it on the shelf until needed. We're getting quite a few eggs right now even tho' it's cold, so we can be lavish with them! Pound cakes and pasta!

    Beth, you are such a sweetie! Thank you so much for your faithful comments. They always bring a smile to my face! And thank you soooo much for your compliments on my photos! I so value your taking time to give me a hug over the wires!

    NCMW...hope your "Patient" is doing well. And you, too, in your NN role! (Nurse Nancy) Thanks so much for taking time to give me a pat on the back amidst all your other current demands. Love your dogs and dog-posts!

    Elora, you must share, now. Don't keep this ravioli recipe secret! Promise???

    Vicki, did you do it? Pasta? What kind?? My favorite is Lasagna!

    Thanks everyone!
    Elora

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