Homemade Tagliatelle in a spicy sausage & pea sauce

Homemade Pasta - a labour of love.

Once you've tried making homemade pasta you will seriously consider making it more often, or least for a special occasion. 

Pasta machines are now available nationwide with LIDL, homestore and more, Debehams carrying a range for a fraction of their once high cost. I got my Jamie Oliver pasta machine in Debenhams for €25 and it is a kitchen essential for me. 

This wholesome dish makes plenty for four adults. It is a light spicy sauce that works well for a fancy midweek supper or is very handy for a tasty work lunchbox. 

The pasta speaks volumes in this dish. 

Ingredients; 

200g 00 flour 

1 egg 

3 egg yolks 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon olive oil 

50g semolina 

1 tbsp. Oil 

20g butter

1 onion 

2 garlic cloves 

15 cherry tomatoes 

2 sausages (remove skins)  

50g frozen peas 

1 glass of white wine 

1 tbsp. tabasco 

1/2 teasp. paprika 

1 tbsp. tomato puree 

Salt & pepper 

Parmesan cheese to garnish 

Method: 

In a food processor blitz together the 00 flour, olive oil, salt, 1 egg and 3 egg yolks to form a smooth dough. Wrap in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for at least 10minutes. 

Finely dice the onion and garlic. 

Remove the sausage skin and leave the meat to one side. Half the cherry tomatoes. 

Heat the oil and butter in a pan and gently sweat the onion and garlic together. 

Add in the sausage meat and cook through. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, paprika, tabasco and white wine and cook to a simmer. Add in the peas and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Season the sauce to taste. 

Bring a large pot of water to the boil with 5 pints of water and 1 teaspoon salt. 

Using the pasta machine, roll out 1/2 of the dough first on each setting (1-7) 3 times on each setting, until smooth. Continue to roll the pasta through the machine until thin and smooth. Toss a little semolina onto the flat sheet of pasta before running though the tagliatelle cutter. 

Toss the cut pasta tagliatelle into the semolina and leave to one-side to dry out a little before cooking.

Continue till all the pasta is cut. 

Once the water is boiling add the pasta and cook until al dente (2-3minutes). 

Transfer the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss to coat in the sauce. Add 1 - 2 tablespoons of pasta water to help with the sauce. 

Serve in warmed bowls with plenty of grated parmesan on top. 

Beautiful simple food at its best.