How green is my pasta!
Finally, I made my own pasta!! I’m not the kind of person who makes stuff. I’m the kind who makes all sorts of excuses to spend less time in the kitchen..But then my work friend, Pia, brought pasta for lunch the other day and she said she makes it fresh all the time.. try it, she said, and you will never buy it again 
. I did and liked it very much. So here’s my first attempt at fresh home-made pesto pasta salad:
For the fresh pasta:
2 eggs
1 cup flour (220 grams)
1/2 cup blanched spinach
On the worktop, make a heap of flour with a hole in the middle (just like a volcano). Pour the eggs and add blanched spinach in the hole. Gently stir and mix with your finger. Use one hand to mix the dough and the other hand to keep the eggs from breaking through and running all over the table.
Now knead the dough with both hands for at least ten minutes. Fold, knead and twist the dough until you get a supple, slightly elastic ball. Pack the dough in plastic foil and let it rest for thirty minutes. I don’t have a pasta machine so I rolled out pasta by hand on the marble counter, with a large rolling pin. Roll out pasta as thin as you can manage (think fettucine). Allow to dry for approximately 1/2 hour. cut the pasta with a sharp knife to the width you want.
Fresh pasta only needs a few seconds in boiling water! Bring plenty of water to the boil, add some salt. Add the pasta. As soon as the water is boiling again, count till ten, then drain the pasta immediately and viola!
For the pesto:
1 tablespoon walnuts
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
2-4 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
Toast the nuts in a small skillet over low heat until fragrant and golden, 5 minutes, taking care not to burn. In a food processor, combine the toasted nuts with the basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
For the salad:
In a large bowl, stir the cooled pasta with the pesto. Toss gently until everything is combined. Top it with some more finely grated parmesan cheese. It is ready to serve!!
One baby step at a time Next, I plan to buy a pasta machine and make some stuffed pasta like tortellini. Do you have any tips to share!!
Ohhh, I love walnut pesto!
Yummy! It looks “terrible” delicious!
thanks! i ‘terribly’ agree with you
This looks seriously good! I love homemade pasta. I have a manual pasta machine that I am supposed to hand crank. Now that I have a Kitchen Aid mixer, I think I’ll try to see if I can get the pasta machine for that. Another easy, handmade pasta is gnocchi. Yummy little dumplings.
Yum!! I am definitely going to make this! Thanks for sharing!
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This sounds so yummy! I am definitely going to try this!
Thanks for reblogging my post. I’m glad you liked it. Gud luck for trying it on ur own!
Well done! The closest I have been to making my own pasta was potato gnocchi. Your pasta looks wonderful and pesto is a great, simple way to let it shine. I never thought about rolling it out with a rolling pin. Great idea!
thanks a lot ! Gnocchi is also in my list of things to try next
do let me know if you have some good tips that i should keep in mind. thanks for stopping by my post.
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Looks good I’m going to try it, although I’m not much of a cook. I’m a hit or miss cook-sometimes I get rave reviews and other times…well, its pizza night.
i’m just like you..but that’s the fun of trying out new stuff. try it, you just may get a hit next time like i did
Looks really good. They have a great color. This also brings back memories of helping my Mother cut out egg noodles.
thanks a lot. it’s the spinach that brings out that vibrant green ! wow, i’ve never made noodles at home. that must be great experience. you should share how you do that.
I just made some pasta and spinach but this looks much tastier!
Thanks, Joe. I’m sure yours turned out just as good. Next time take it’s snap and share
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Your post is really inspiring. I used to have a pasta maker, and gave it away many moves ago. Must get another one. On the topic of cool things you can make – I used to make ravioli. You make the pasta dough and roll it out, and then you use a ravioli mold to put your raviolis together, and can make all kinds of fillings. It’s super easy and really good.
wow, i should get a mold and make raviolis. Thanks for the lovely suggestion, Mona. looks like you have some good pasta knowledge. Do keep it up, it’s a good thing
Looks like a work of art – almost too good to eat…almost!
thanks, yeah almost
and it tasted good too!
Sounds delicious! Did you use a mixer to pulverize the spinach for the pasta or finely chop it by hand?
I just chopped it by hand…but it takes time. Using the processor is better, i guess.
I live in Thailand so pesto is hard to come by… I’ve had my mom send me pine nuts and have fallen in love with homemade pesto, but I can’t wait to try it with walnuts! As for the homemade pasta… I’ve only tried that once and it didn’t go so well (I tried memorizing the recipe and ended up inverting the flour:egg ratio. Whoops…) but you may have inspired me to try again!
walnuts gives it a nice nutty, smooth dressing. i have a simple mantra for flour:egg ratio – one egg for every 110 grms flour (this is good for 2 people..for more, just multiply) good luck for your next try
and thanks so much for reading my post.
That sounds and looks really tasty! Do you think it would work if I tried to mix the dough into a ball in a food processor and the knead it? (I’m really quite lazy).
I might try it with wholemeal flour. You make it sound easy.
Fresh pasta tastes SO much nicer than dried pasta! Thanks for sharing. X
sure, you can use the food processor but make sure the ball is elastic enough. if it’s not, twist it after you’ve processed… nothing like using your hands…i find this rather therapeutic
wholewheat pasta is a much healthier option . thanks for stopping by. really appreciate your comment.
Bookmark this post first. Then try this at home next.
That looks awesome, although I won’t be trying it, due to eating strictly Paleo. I know many non-Paleo eaters would kill for some of that.
For me: I perfer my food sources to be from animal products, just like long ago Nomads would have eaten.
very interesting!! you’re the first person i’ve come across who follows Paleo. maybe you should share how you can modify/ work around recipes to suit your dietary needs.
I’m sort of new to the whole thing myself but I can tell you one thing: It’s so much fun and suits me very well. I do feel much better than I did before. Although I’m not following it perfectly and still am learning what my body can and can’t handle.
I normally have meat and eggs for breakfast such as this morning I had 2 eggs with 2 burger patties and homemade tomato sauce consisting of 3 medium tomatoes, 1/2 large onion, plus garlic.
Lunch always consists of 1 huge tomato, 1 cucumber, lots of lettuce 1/2 Avocado, and 1 tin of sardines in olive oil (not drained)
Supper is always meat with veggies for me. Chicken, beef, or tuna if the first 2 options are not available.
I’m only 18 and living with my non-paleo family so options are very limited for me, but I make do.
Thanks for sharing. Kudos for keeping it up although your family is non-paleo. Gud luck for a great life !
You too! I see different ways work for different people, take the Inuit, Middle Esteems and Chinese for example. Only meat with little berries in the summer with frozen kale, lots of bread oils dairy fruit veggies nuts and meat for the middle east, and the Chinese are mostly rice and veggies I assume.
Intresting to note differences, the main thing: avoid processed and GM foods and eat what works for you
Hi! I too have been planning to make my own pasta for quite sometime..want to try out this Ravioli dish that I ate some where…but I always get put-off by the fact that I need a machine to roll out the nice thin sheets..now that I read you post, I think I would try too coz your spinach pasta looks awesome..besides, am not a big fan of white flour pasta…but maybe I can try this spinach one or do the same with whole wheat flour. Have tried to make wholewheat pasta?
i’m so glad you’re inspired to roll out your own pasta
i haven’t made wholewheat myself but i’m assuming it should work the same way only it may be a little dry or brittle when you cut it.
this looks greatly! I’ll be sure to try the recipe
<3
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mouth is watering lol
That looks delicious! I’m salivating.. Can’t wait to try this out : D
i never manage to have so much patience:P
you made me hungry!
Is this your own recipe or you get somewhere? I haven’t seen green pasta before but i really want to try. thanks for sharing your recipe!
can’t say if this is an original recipe.. it’s more of an amalgamation of trial and error and various inspirations
it’s like your regular pasta but for spinach and pesto to add the dash of green. thanks for taking the time to read the post.
Looks delicious!!!
Yummmmy, I once ate black pasta, I believe it was Angel hair squid ink, I think teh colored pastas taste the best!
That sounds great! I shall defiantly try it. Just a little question : should you mix the pesto with the dough before putting in boiling water?
No, you should not mix the pesto with the dough at all. The pasta dough only has flour, spinach and salt. After you’ve boiled and cooled the pasta, then mix it with pesto and toss. Good luck for whenever you try it
Oh, ok, because in the pictures it looks like the two of them are mixed and then boiled. Thanks for the quick answer. I know what I am having for dinner tonight (:
You’re right, the second picture should go way down after the pesto recipe. The current order may be confusing. My bad! will fix this soon. Have a good dinner tonight
Wow, I love pesto! That taste so yummy!
So green! I love it!
Congratulations! And thanks for sharing..you make it sound so easy.. I also don’t venture much in the kitchen, but I may just try this!
Thanks a lot, Deepa. I’m just like you but this one is not so difficult and the results are yummy, so do try and gud luck
Looks delicious! Thanks for the tip!
Very cool! I’ve been looking for another homemade pasta recipe. Thanks!
This looks amazing but first thought was “How do I blanch spinach?” for the novice cook and then second thought “Do I want to spend more time in the kitchen?” Third thought..YES I do, because I have been craving pesto sauce and this looks amazing! Thank you! Kimberly
For blanching, put the spinach leaves in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Then put the spinach in the ice water for a minute. Squeeze the spinach with your hands to remove all excess water. You’ll have to chop or process the spinach finely before adding to the dough. I’m glad you’re going with your ‘third’ thought
good luck for the pesto sauce!
My daughter’s birthday tomorrow so I was just about to make her a chocolate cake. Still will, but now also making YOUR pasta (she’s a vegetarian) as a surprise! Thanks!
Wow! thanks, that is a real honor for me
wish your daughter a very happy birthday and I’m sure that chocolate cake will be as yummy as ever!
Wow, green pasta I like it! Very nice…..thanks.
thank you
Wooooo! That’s so interesting. Next time please make a video in order to make it as easy as possible. thanks!
hey that’s a good idea, i should try making a video next time i’m in the kitchen! thanks for the suggestion.
I think Dr Seuss might ditch his green eggs and ham for this one! Looks delecious!
terrific! I am gonna try it one day.
Wow, looks really yummy
Yummy thats mouth watering . . .
miam sa a l’air bon
Merci pour ton commentaire et aimer ma post
Nice job! I have lots of tips – I’ve made ravioli, colored pasta, flavored pasta – check out my blog … I love making pasta. A pasta machine or if you have a kitchenaid mixer – you can buy the pasta attachments will definitely make it easier! Your friend is right, once you have home made you will always want it that way!
Wow! you have a wonderful blog. I’m following it now. I plan to try your Thai Chicken Pasta with fresh Fettuccine this weekend
Thanks for all useful tips.
Thanks so much for the nice compliment and the follow! I’m glad you found some tips and hope that you enjoy the receipe!
That looks easy enough – I think I’ll give it a shot! Looks great too!
You made such pretty noodles!! Wow! I’m trying this out soon for sure. Thank you for sharing!
You have made pasta-making look easy. Thanks. I must try. Pretty pictures!
Thanks a lot. I guess it’s easy if u go by the method and cross your fingers
hope the recipe works for you.
I love pasta
in any form and shape.. these look yummy 
looks incredible edible… when i tried to make pasta, it turned into awesome pizza dough instead. gotta try this recipe!
they do look nice… too green for me… maybe I will get my kids to eat them.
hum i love home-made pasta !
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Congrats and good for you!
Thanks a lot!
Your photos make me hungry. Well done on making your own pasta.
Thanks a lot! this was a lovely experience
This may seem out of the blue..just wondering if the pasta strips can be stored? Planning to finally try my hand at this
Hi Deepa. I have always eaten my homemade pasta relatively quickly after it’s made.. never got a chance to stored it
I guess the best way to store is to just let it dry naturally. Freezing or refrigerating may not get the best results. Put it in a dry spot for a few days and then bag them. You can maybe use clothes hangers to hang the pasta strips for drying, but they’ll be delicate and brittle so you’ll need a lot of patience 
Good luck!!
Thank you!
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