There's something truly magical about creating homemade pasta from scratch. The process of mixing flour and eggs to form a silky dough, rolling it out into delicate sheets, and cutting it into your desired shapes can be immensely satisfying. Add to this a luscious homemade roasted garlic and pepper sauce, and you've got a meal that's nothing short of enchanting. Whether its date night and you want to impress someone, or family Sunday dinner were everyone can participate and bond over a meal. In this blog post, I will guide you through the art of making fresh pasta and pairing it with a flavorful roasted garlic and pepper sauce that's sure to impress your taste buds.
What you will need:
For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- A pinch of salt
For the Roasted Garlic and Pepper Sauce:
- 1 head of garlic (Roasted)
- 2 red, yellow or orange bell peppers.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
How to make this dish:
Step 1: Preparing the Pasta Dough
1. Start by creating a clean, well-floured surface on your countertop. This will be your workspace for making the pasta dough.
2. In a mixing bowl or on a large counter space add the flour and make a well in the center. Crack the eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt.
3. Gently beat the eggs with a fork, gradually incorporating the flour from the edges until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If it's too dry, add a few drops of water; if too wet, add a bit more flour.
4. Wrap the pasta dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Roasting the Garlic and Peppers
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place it in a small piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and wrap it up.
3. Place the whole red bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast both the garlic packet and the peppers in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the peppers' skin is charred. Or like i did i roasted directly on a gas burner. This method is quicker and frankly looks really good.
4. Remove the roasted peppers from the oven, place them in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let them steam for about 10 minutes. This will make it easier to peel the skin.
5. Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin, remove the seeds and stems, and chop them into small pieces.
Step 3: Making the Roasted Garlic and Pepper Sauce:
1. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a saucepan. Mash them with a fork.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the saucepan and sauté the mashed garlic over low heat for a minute or two.
3. Stir in the chopped roasted red peppers and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously, and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. And blend the mixer to a smooth consistency.
5. Return the blended mixture into the saucepan and add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 4: Rolling and Cooking the Pasta:
1. Divide the rested pasta dough into manageable portions and roll each portion out into thin sheets using a pasta machine or a rolling pin. You should aim for a thickness of about 1/16 inch.
2. Cut the rolled-out dough into your preferred pasta shape—whether it's fettuccine, pappardelle, or tagliatelle.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fresh pasta for 2-3 minutes or until al dente. Fresh pasta cooks much quicker than dried pasta, so keep a close eye on it.
Step 5: Serving Your Homemade Pasta with Roasted Garlic and Pepper Sauce
1. Drain the cooked pasta and transfer it to the simmering roasted pepper garlic sauce.
2. Mix and heat through
3. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
4. Serve immediately, and enjoy your homemade culinary masterpiece!
Conclusion
Creating homemade pasta with a delectable roasted garlic and pepper sauce is a labor of love, but the result is nothing short of extraordinary. The tender, fresh pasta perfectly complements the creamy, flavorful sauce. This dish is sure to dazzle your taste buds and impress anyone lucky enough to share it with you. So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the art of homemade pasta-making, and savor the magic of this unforgettable meal.
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