Green Pasta
- 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting work surface
- 4 extra large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 6 ounces frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed very dry
- 1 Spanish onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 6 tablespoons virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons fresh thyme (or 2 tablespoons dried)
- 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
- 2 (28-ounce) cans of tomatoes, crushed and mixed well with their juices
- Salt, to taste
- Make a mound of the flour in the center of a large wooden cutting board.
- Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the eggs, oil and spinach.
- Using a fork, beat together the eggs, oil and spinach and begin to incorporate the flour starting with the inner rim of the well.
- As you expand the well, keep pushing the flour up to retain the well shape.
- Do not worry that this initial phase looks messy.
- The dough will come together when 1/2 of the flour is incorporated.
- Start kneading the dough with both hands, using the palms of your hands primarily.
- Once you have a cohesive mass, remove the dough from the board and scrape up any left over crusty bits.
- Lightly flour the board and continue kneading for 3 more minutes.
- The dough should be elastic and a little sticky.
- Continue to knead for another 3 minutes, remembering to dust your board when necessary.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Note: do not skip the kneading or resting portion of this recipe, they are essential for a light pasta.
- Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until translucent, but not brown (about 10 minutes).
- Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more.
- Add the tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat to just bubbling, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Serve immediately, or set aside for further use.
- The sauce may be refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for up to 6 months.
flour, eggs, olive oil, spinach, onion, garlic, virgin olive oil, fresh thyme, carrot, tomatoes, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/green-pasta-recipe.html (may not work)