On Fri, 2 Jul 2004 12:41:46 +0100, "TonyK" >
wrote:

>Amongst other things I got a pasta machine as one of my birthday presents.
>Always wanted to have a go a making pasta.

From 'Julia Child & Company'

Makes enough for 8 servings or 2 boxes of commercial egg noodles

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 (US Grade) "Large" eggs
2 to 4 Tblsp cold water

Put flour in a bowl. Make a well in the center and break in the eggs;
blend then with 2 Tblsp of the water and gradudally mix in the
surrounding flour. Blend vigorously to make a stiff dough; turn out
onto a work surface and knead vigorously with the heel of your hand,
adding droplets more water to unblended bits.

OR

Put flour, eggs, & 2 Tblsp water in a food processor. Blend (with
metal cutting blade) until the dough forms a ball or until it can be
pressed together in a mass (or sprinkle a little bit water). Remove
from machine and knead to blend. Dough should be firm. If soft or
sticky, knead in a sprinkling of flour.

JC's Remarks:
"...your own experience will guide you, eventually, but don't be
afraid of the dough. Not much can go wrong as long as it is stiff and
dry enough to pass through the kneading and cutting rollers of your
machine. Tenderness and exquisiteness of texture can come later and
will be part of your own particular secret genius with the noodle."

Dough can rest for half an hour, but cover with plastic wrap to
prevent a crust forming. Cut dough in half (cover remaining half with
plastic wrap). Flatten dough into a hand-size cake and pinch one end
to feed through rollers at widest opening. Crank it through; fold it
in half; and repeat several times 'til dough is smooth and fairly
rectangular. Brush dough lightly with flour if it looks like it might
be thinking about sticking. Now try the next lower setting and crank
it through; lower setting and crank; etc. Julia says setting #4 is
usually good for noodles. By this time, you will have had to cut the
dough in half and crank in separate pieces. Hang dough on a broom
handle to dry *briefly* -- 4-5 minutes. Then crank dough through
cutters. Cook in a large amount of boiling, salted water for a very
brief time -- 2-3 minutes -- fresh noodles cook quickly.

As Julia says, don't be afraid of it and don't expect it to be perfect
at first. It's really a lot easier to do than describe. If course,
it's a *lot* easier if you have a helper or 3 hands.

>I assume you work as quickly as you can

Why?