Comfort Food

Comfort Food Spaghetti

In times of uncertainty, food can bring so much comfort. Right now, we have the opportunity to enjoy the making as well as the eating, whether you're preparing pasta from scratch or an invigorating, full-flavoured curry

FOLLOW THE SPICE TRAIL

A warming curry or a big bowl of stir-fried noodles is often what we turn to when we need a little TLC. There’s something about the spice and full-on flavours that make these recipes so satisfying

HOW TO MAKE FRESH PASTA

Serves 4 as a main course

Step 1

Put 300g super fine 00 grade pasta flour and 3 large eggs in a food processor with a pinch of salt. Whizz until it forms a coarse crumb. Test the mixture by taking a little between your fingertips. It should come together easily and feel firm and a little tacky. If it is too dry add a little more beaten egg or a few drops of water. If it’s soft and sticky, add a little more flour

Step 2

Tip the mixture onto a work surface and knead into a dough. Carry on kneading for about 5 minutes, until it feels smooth and elastic. Wrap it in cling film and leave to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours). At this stage, you can freeze some or all of your pasta dough if you need to

Step 3

If you’re using a pasta machine, take 1⁄4 of the pasta dough (keeping the rest wrapped in cling film) and roll it out with a rolling pin until it is thin enough to fit through the widest setting. Run it through each setting of the machine once, cutting it in half if it becomes too long. Once you’ve reached the appropriate setting for your pasta, place it on a tray lined with cling film, keeping each piece separate. If rolling by hand, only flour the work surface if it really sticks

NO EGGS? TRY THIS SIMPLE PASTA RECIPE

Mix 500g plain flour with 100ml tepid water and a pinch of salt. Roll into a ball, cover and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Then hand-roll cherry-sized pieces into long, thin strands like fat spaghetti (called 'pici' pasta), or experiment with different shapes. Cook for 4-5 mins in a large pan of boiling water

CHOOSE YOUR PASTA DISH

beef casserole image

COMFORTING CLASSICS

Stews, pies and slow-cook recipes. Freeze any leftovers for another day

3 WAYS WITH... POTATOES

3 WAYS WITH... CANNED TOMATOES

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