Tagliatelle Pasta

Step 1

Reserve a couple of tablespoons of flour. Tip the remaining flour onto work surface and make a well in the middle. Be sure to leave some flour at the bottom of the well.

Step 2

Crack eggs into the well in the flour.

Step 3

Using a fork (or fingertips) whisk and mix the eggs dragging in a little bit of flour from around the edges.

Step 4

Keep working with your fork (or fingertips) bringing a little of the flour. Be careful not to break the edge of the well or the egg will escape. The egg should be almost custardy.

Step 5

Continue to bring in the flour bit by bit until the egg has enough flour to no longer be runny. At the point you can use both hands (with the help of a dough scraper) to bring in the rest of the flour. It will be a shaggy dough.

Step 6

With two hands, knead and bring the dough together. Add more flour as needed. The dough should not be sticky. If you are rolling by hand do not add too much flour.

Step 7

Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes or until it is smooth and you feel the change in the dough. Don't omit this kneading.

Step 8

Put an upturned bowl over the dough or wrap in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes or so.

Step 9

Divide the dough into about 8 smaller portions. Take one portion and keep the remaining dough covered.

Step 10

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Form the dough into a rough rectangle.

Step 11

Roll, lightly flouring as necessary into a long thin strip of pasta dough, stretching and pressing as you go. I like to continue in a long, wide strip. The aim is to have an even thickness. You should be able to see the colour of your hand through the dough.

Step 12

Set aside on a lightly floured tablecloth to dry for about 20 minutes while you roll out the remaining dough. Turn the sheets over to assist drying.

Step 13

Cut off a small piece of dough and keep the remaining dough covered.

Step 14

Lightly flour the machine rollers and the work surface. Set the pasta machine rollers at the widest setting.

Step 15

Press the portion of dough flat into a thick rectangle and guide through the rollers.

Step 16

Fold into thirds and pass again through the widest setting. Repeat this 6 to 8 times until the dough is smooth. You may need to flour lightly to stop sticking and tearing.

Step 17

Don't worry if the dough does tear. Just keep folding and passing through the rollers.

Step 18

Only when the dough is smooth, start to reduce the settings of the rollers. Reduce just one setting at a time, until you have reach the desired thickness.

Step 19

Set aside on floured tablecloth to dry for about 20 minutes while you roll out the remaining dough. Turn the sheets over to assist drying.

Step 20

When the dough is partially dry but still flexible, roll up into a flat roll and cut into ⅜ (or 1cm). Separate strips and allow to dry before cooking.

Step 21

If you have the cutting attachment for the pasta machine, pass the semi dried pasta sheets through to cut into tagliatelle. Allow tagliatelle to dry before cooking.

Step 22

Bring to boil a large pot of well salted water. Drop in the fresh tagliatelle, give it a quick stir to make sure all the strands are separated.

Step 23

Cook for 1 to 3 minutes. Taste to test for doneness.

Step 24

Drain well in colander. Toss to remove excess liquid. Don't ever rinse the pasta.

Step 25

Combine with sauce of your choice.