Ha, if only. I won’t apologize for taking time away, 2020 really hasn’t been the year for lofty wanderlust driven things…as much as my heart (and certainly many others) ache for it. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs would say food is essential–but it’s hard to share a passion when the passion is lacking!

And it’s not for lack of trying. I’ve made meat pies from scratch. Taught my roommate the invaluable joy that is homemade makhani gravy. Became hooked on black garlic (did you know you could buy a gift box of it?). But none of it felt like something to write about. So, surprise surprise, I genuinely didn’t expect joy to reverberate in something simple–precious, plentiful, pasta.

Okay, maybe saying pasta alone is a bit much. But honestly there is something magical about how flour and eggs (and obviously many other mixes) come together to make a wholesome meal that comes in various shapes, forms, and love made edible.

Admittedly the first time I made pasta it felt excruciating to roll out all that dough. However time is a panacea to all. Arm workouts and a variety of other hobbies probably didn’t hurt. So when I spent my birthday redoing the long flat noodles with homemade tomato sauce…serendipitously I was hit with a passion so strong I took a walk to stock up on ingredients for future pastas and noodles while my extra batch of dough rested. And used my birthday money on a pasta attachment to help save my wrists for the quantity I anticipate to make in the colder seasons.

I’ve compiled a list of links to pasta and noodle resources, most are pro-pasta roller, but for thicker noodles and with much patience, a decent number can be converted back and forth.

Oh, why are there Asian noodles too? Because come on, it’s me. You’re not not going to have me go in on Asian noodles too when pasta was born from Marco Polo bringing Chinese noodles back from one of his expeditions.

  • Pasta 101 by the Pasta Social Club is a solid starter for doughs! (And her whole recipe docket is not one to overlook)
  • Fettucine Feminista one part because her pastas are art, one part because she’s a gem human who patiently deals with my less than 101 level questions as I flail through her favorite food
  • Easy Pasta Shapes because I don’t know about you, but after learning how to stuff triangoli/ravioli…how does one not feel shape intimidation?!
  • Laminated Pasta another FF sneak in because her floral pasta was gorgeous and also applies to herbs
  • Udon with pasta roller attachment
  • Udon Recipe by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (hand rolled)
  • Egg Noodles by The Woks of Life, they also have white noodle recipe!
  • Wontons by Little Fat Boy (their blog has been a delight to recently stumble upon)

So consider this list my way of saying hello again, let’s eat our way around the world until we can traverse it safely again.