On a recent trip to the U.K., my sister treated me to a pasta making class at Jamie Oliver's Recipease.
The "cookery school" and accompanying store were astoundingly beautiful and mouth-wateringly delicious.
We began the class with an enthusiastic intructor who assured us that we'd be pasta-making experts in no time at all...
We mixed, kneaded and let the dough rest...then it hit the amazing pasta maker!
A few times through the Imperia and we were pasta masters...
Tagliatelle, Spaghetti, Fettuccini, Irregular cut pasta and Farfalle (which is easier to make than it looks)-
And for the finishing touch...the one minute pasta sauce:
In a hot pan add:
a big glug of really good extra virgin olive oil
a clove (or two) of crushed garlic
a handful of hand-crushed cherry tomatoes (or some canned tomatoes in a pinch)
several leaves of fragrant torn basil
a touch of salt
*Cook for a minute or two. Add a splash of pasta cooking water and toss with fresh cooked pasta. Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Voila!
* I realize that not everyone has the inclination to make their own pasta, but if you can get your hands on some good fresh pasta be sure to make this simple sauce that highlights fresh tomatoes and basil.*