Jimmy's Test Kitchen

Happy Pre-Valentines Day everyone! Even though I am currently single, I feel like I can celebrate this day because of the amount of love I have for everyone!!   Cheesy right?  haha!                   

This past Friday I was graced with the presence of a buddy that I've been getting to know better these past few months.   We've been enjoying each others company and banter about life, God and women.  We have such different personalities but it's been really good to have a friend with counter points to you.

I invited him over for dinner on Friday night because I felt like making some fresh pasta.  I had all the right ingredients (Except the Parmesan Reggiano)  So making this pasta was really cheap.  If you find a good Italian place that makes their pasta fresh, You'll be spending well over $15 a plate for it.  At home, You can make 4 portions of this for about the same price and you won't have to leave a tip!

First let's start off with making Fresh Pasta.  I searched different recipes and got many different ideas but here is a recipe that I came up with on my own using basic pasta ratios.  I love pasta making.  It feeds your tactile sensations while making it.  Prep time: 45 minutes

Pasta Ingredients:
4 Large Eggs
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Cups Semolina Flour
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tsp Kosher Salt
Water

Directions:
I put all the ingredients together and mix with my stand mixer adding enough water until the dough can form a ball on the hook.  Let the mixer "Knead" the dough for about 15 minutes.  The dough should be slightly sticky but not enough to stick to the side of the bowl.  Alternatively if you do not have a stand mixer you can follow the directions on Mario Batali's recipe to knead by hand. After you're done kneading let the dough rest for 20 minutes.   Cut into 4-8 equal size portions, Roll out and Cut.  My stand mixer has all the pasta maker attachments so rolling the dough out is super easy.  We opted to cut the pasta by hand to give it a more Homemade feel.  Make sure you dust your pasta with flour so they don't stick together. 

Cook in salted water for 4 minutes until Al Dente, Drain, Toss with your favorite sauce and serve!   It's so easy and it's especially fun to do if you have kids.


The sauce we used was a classic Alfredo Sauce.  It's a simple recipe I learned from working in the kitchen.  The danger in this sauce is it's very heavy but you just can't seem to get enough of it.  It's so rich and tasty that you want to eat the whole plate and lick the remaining sauce! Prep time: 10 minutes

Alfredo Sauce recipe
Ingredients:
1 stick of unsalted butter
4 Cups Heavy Cream
1 Cup Grated Fresh Parmesan Reggiano
1/4 Tsp Ground White Pepper
1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/4 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
2 Egg yolks
Salt to taste

Directions: 
Melt the butter over low flame.  After the butter is fully melted, add the cream and spices and bring it up to a Luke-warm temperature.   Add the grated cheese and whisk to make sure the cheese gets properly melted into the sauce.   When all the cheese is properly incorporated add in egg yolks and keep stirring till the sauce begins to thicken.  DO NOT ever bring it to a boil, you will scramble the eggs inside the sauce and have a nasty egg drop and cream soup and not a smooth alfredo sauce!  >.< 

Salt and add the sauce to your freshly made pasta and toss.  Top with any kind of protein you want, chicken, shrimp, even salmon and garnish with fresh cracked pepper, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.  I topped mine with pan seared Chicken!

I guarantee you that if you make this for your valentines, I guarantee you that she will be impressed.  You will grow pleasantly plump and as you grow old with your love interest. =) I hope you guys try your hand at making fresh pasta, It's quick and totally worth it.

Happy Valentines Day and happy cooking!
Chef de Amore Jimmy