Alkaline Semolina Noodles Recipes

FRESH SEMOLINA AND EGG PASTA

Steps:

• Thoroughly sift together all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and pinch of salt. On a clean surface, make a mountain out of flour mixture then make a deep well in center. Break the eggs into the well and add olive oil. Whisk eggs very gently with a fork, gradually incorporating flour from the sides of the well. When mixture becomes too thick to mix with a fork, begin kneading with your hands.
• Knead dough for 8 to 12 minutes, until it is smooth and supple. Dust dough and work surface with semolina as needed to keep dough from becoming sticky. Wrap dough tightly in plastic and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Roll out dough with a pasta machine or a rolling pin to desired thickness. Cut into your favorite style of noodle or stuff with your favorite filling to make ravioli. Bring water to a boil in a large pot, then add 4 teaspoons salt. Cook pasta until tender but not mushy, 1 to 8 minutes depending on thickness. Drain immediately and toss with your favorite sauce.

ALKALINE SEMOLINA NOODLES

Steps:

• Place the baking soda on a piece of foil and bake in a 250-degree toaster oven for 1 hour.
• Put the flour in a food processor. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the baked baking soda, taking care to avoid touching it, in 6 1/2 tablespoons water. (Keep the rest tightly covered for another use.) Start the processor and slowly pour in the water-baking soda mixture. Process for about a minute until evenly mixed but still mostly granular. Remove the dough and press it together into a mass, then knead for a minute or two. If it does not come together, knead in a little more water, a teaspoon at a time. Wrap and let rest for an hour at room temperature, or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Divide the dough into two pieces. Roll one piece out until slightly thicker than the widest roller setting on a pasta machine, about 3/8 inch. Pass the strip of dough through the pasta machine at its widest setting, then repeat at successively narrower settings until the dough is about 1/16- inch thick. Fit the narrow cutters onto the pasta machine and cut the dough into noodles. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
• Bring a pot of unsalted water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander, rinse briefly with cold water, and drain. To highlight the eggy flavor of the noodles, toss with salt, vegetable oil, scallions and chili flakes to taste. For a more full-flavored dish, toss instead with sesame oil, soy sauce and chili-garlic paste, or your favorite condiments.