THE FOOD DIARIES: Pasta Pandemonium

“You can make pasta with painted nails?” my grandmother asks.

While driving over to her house today, I realized that my mint green nails would freak her out. I told her that the nail polish wouldn’t come off when we made the pasta. I knew that was her concern.

I’m not a great cook. I can only master “student dishes” such as: rice, ready made pasta, stir-fry and salads. Living away from home did not turn me into the next Giada De Laurentiis. However, I really want to learn how to cook. I knew the perfect person to help me out- my grandmother. Not only is she the greatest chef in the world (sidenote: every Italian person thinks their grandmother is the best cook) but it would also give me the opportunity to spend some QT with her. 

I believe everything tastes better homemade or grown out of a garden. My grandmother would never succumb to heating up a frozen dinner laden with preservatives. Her choice of snack is not a bag of Doritos.

Nonna Assunta (as we call her) and I chatted about cooking. She explained that back in her day if a woman didn’t know how to cook she was not considered a good candidate for marriage. It was a vital skill. She understands that today people don't have to know how to cook. They can buy their dinner if they want. She told me that I don’t need to learn how to cook for a man, but more for myself and eventually one day for my family. Smart lady eh?

My Food Diaries have begun. First on the list- HOMEMADE PASTA.

Start with eggs (it is your choice how many to use) and flour (we used half white and half whole wheat I like whole wheat because it is healthier. Make a mound and place the eggs in the middle. 

Mix until dough becomes firm and turn into a roll. Cut into circles.

 

Use pasta machine to flatten and lengthen the pasta. When ready, choose pasta setting and put through. We chose to make Spaghetti and Tagliatelle.

 

 

Let hang dry and then cook for a delicious homemade meal!

So that's the final product! My arms hurt and there is flour all over my phone and camera. My grandmother is a strong lady and I'm just learning.

It's all mouth watering worth it.