Homemade Red Wine Pasta

Step 1

Crack the eggs into a large liquid measuring cup and add about 2 tablespoons olive oil (roughly 2 good glugs). Pour enough wine into the measuring cup until the total liquid volume measures 2 1/2 cups (750 ml). Whisk the ingredients together.

Step 2

Dump the flour in a bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the wine mixture into the well and, using your hands, work the liquid into the flour until the mixture starts to come together in a ball.

Step 3

Turn the dough ball out onto a clean work surface and knead the dough until it’s smooth and has a nice elasticity, about 10 minutes. (The dough is ready when you press it with a fingertip and it springs back immediately.) Wrap the pasta dough with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 4

To form the pasta dough into pappardelle, as in the photo above, roll the pasta dough through a standard pasta machine set to the number 4 setting. Then dust it on both sides with flour and lay it on a work surface. Cut the sheet widthwise into sections 8 inches long. Using a fluted or straight pasta cutter, cut down the length of the pasta sheet to make noodles about 1 inch wide. Place the noodles, not touching, on a semolina-dusted baking sheet. Otherwise, form it into whatever shape you fancy, using your own experience or the shaping instructions toward the end of this recipe as your guide.

Step 5

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water is boiling, drop in the pasta and cook until the desired doneness. (If you intend to toss the pasta in a skillet with some sauce and warm it for a minute or two, you should cook it until not quite al dente, 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t worry about the pasta being too toothsome. It will continue to cook in the sauce. If you intend to drain the pasta and dress it with sauce, cook the pasta a minute or so longer.)

Step 6

Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Serve however your heart desires. Originally published February 3, 2014.