Monday 2 February 2015

The Weekend Kitchen

This weekend Hubby was working and I had a chance to take on a few kitchen projects without being interrupted.

I used up some Filo that had been in the freezer for way too long, and turned it into a kale and feta pie.


Then I tackled a job I knew that would take me a bit longer, home made pasta.  I do not make pasta that often but I forget that it really does not take that long, and is so worth the effort.
The recipe I like to use is this one by Jamie Oliver since we always have heaps of eggs and this one uses a whole dozen.
This time I made a double batch as we had 5 dozen eggs on hand and it means I do not have to make pasta again for a while.

You do need a pasta machine for this but even a cheap one will do the job.

I start the mix in a bowl before turning it out on the bench and kneading the mix until it all comes together in a smooth ball.  To be honest this is the hardest part as you need to knead what is quite a firm dough.


Once you have your kneaded dough you cover it and let it rest for at least 1/2 and hour.  After resting the dough you are ready to pass it through the pasta machine to make a sheet of pasta whic you can then turn into the pasta of your choice.


This time I opted for a fettuccini.  The main thing you need to do is keep your pasta machine well floured, the sheets dusted with flour before cutting them and have a floured tea towel to place the cut pasta on.  Do you get the picture?  Flour liberally so you do not end up with pasta lumps.


I then kept some for dinner, placed a few twisted nests in the freezer and dried the rest in my dehydrator.  I am not sure I would dry it this way again as the pasta ended up more broken up than I would have liked.  But that is a minor issue compared to the fact that I now have heaps of home made pasta on hand.


I also made a banana cake to use up some of the 30 odd bananas that are lurking in the freezer. However so that we do not eat too much cake at once the frozen bananas I used have now been replace by the half a cake that I set aside for later. Oh well the thought was there.


So what did you get up to on the weekend?

12 comments:

  1. The pie looks lovely. I never have much luck with frozen filo, don't know why. I buy the fridge one and just use that up till its finished. Go you with the pasta! Well done, you are very adventurous in the kitchen Fiona! cheers Wendy

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    1. Yes Wendy frozen filo never works out that well but I hate waste so I just do the best I can with the frozen one and who cares if it does not look so pretty.

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  2. I know what you mean by pasta, I should make it more often rather than a special treat. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane

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    1. Yes Kathy and isn't it so much better than even the brought fresh pasta. I am sure your kids would love helping.

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  3. Yummy home baked food. Does it get any better? Oh yes, eating it!

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    1. Yes the eating is the best bit, but I do love making it for others and seeing them enjoy it.

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  4. I also have never had success with frozen filo. it always breaks up into lots of little strips....

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  5. Your pasta looks perfect. Now I want a pasta machine! Or at least I'll move it farther up on the wish list, LOL. Did you make your filo? I love the stuff but it seems pretty fiddly to make.

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    1. Leigh it is such a good investment if you have a plentiful supply of eggs. See if you can get one second hand from someone who is not using theirs.

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    2. It would be perfect for times when we're at egg laying peaks. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. YUM! and giggle giggle cooking uninterrupted by hubby, I understand... I look forward to it too!

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