Vegan Pasta Recipe

This past week my whole family took a day off mid week — and we made an Italian feast. Why? Just because! My family is fun like that.

 Dad, where were you for all the pictures?

Sweet puppy, Jade.

We were thankful for the cozy warm inside, because outside was a serious winter day.

Vegan Pasta Dough

5.5 c all purpose flour (more as needed)
1.5 c water (more as needed)
1/2 t turmeric
1 t sea salt
2 t olive oil

Combine dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Create a well in the center, add water and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. Using your hands, kneed the dough in the bowl until all the ingredients bind together and it forms into a ball.

The dough should not be sticky, and should also not be so dry it doesn't hold together. If you find the dough to be too dry, add a bit more water – VERY gradually. On the contrary, if the dough is too sticky, add a pinch of flour at a time until the proper consistency.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, with floured hands, for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth. If the dough is sticky, add a bit of flour as needed. Once kneaded, form dough into a ball and lightly flour the surface. Allow dough to rest, covered with plastic wrap or a clean towel, for 10-20 minutes.

After the dough as rested, on a floured surface, use a sharp floured knife to divide your dough ball into 5-6 equal parts. Roughly form these pieces into discs, generously flouring each side.

On a floured work surface, roll dough disc as flatly as possible, constantly flipping and making sure each side is well floured.

Make sure you wear a black shirt when working with flour...

Roll from the center out, then flip and do the same for the other side, rolling your piece of dough into a long and narrow shape, rather than a round shape. Try to get your dough down to between 1/8" and 1/16" thick. Thoroughly flour each side, then roll dough up and make cuts along the roll to your desired width. Unroll noodles and place on paper towels or a drying rack. Repeat with each dough disc.

Dry the pasta for 10-15 minutes and then boil noodles until done. Drain, top with your favorite sauce and eat!

Thanks to Slow Club Cookery's pasta recipe.

Have you ever made homemade pasta before? What is your favorite sauce?

In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit. —Marge Kennedy