Fresh Spinach Fettuccine
You know at the Real Food Academy “We don’t change the dish…we change the ingredients”. Well the recipe for Fresh Spinach Fttuccine is another perfect example. You know that white flour has very few nutrients. That’s where spinach comes in. This is a really simple, healthy and fun dish you can try at home with your child. You will need a pasta machine and pasta drying rack (both available in our store). Wait until you see the look on your child’s face as they are rolling out the pasta. Enjoy! Chef Maria
Ingredients
- 6 ounces spinach
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- Coarse salt
- Semolina flour, for storage
Directions
- Add 2 inches of water to a medium saucepan, and fit with a steamer insert. Bring to a simmer. Add 6 ounces spinach, cover, and steam until bright green and softened, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly. Squeeze out liquid using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Puree spinach in a food processor (you should have about 1/2 cup puree).
- Add eggs and yolk to puree in food processor, and process until combined. Add flour and 1 heaping teaspoon salt, and process until dough just comes together, about 20 seconds.
- Transfer dough to a well-floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes, adding up to 2 tablespoons flour if dough is too sticky. Place on a piece of parchment, and cover with an inverted bowl, or wrap tightly in plastic; let rest for 1 to 2 hours.
- Cut dough into 8 pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time (keep the remaining pieces covered with the inverted bowl), flatten dough into an oblong shape slightly thinner than the pasta machine’s widest setting (number 1). Dust dough very lightly with flour, and feed through machine. Fold lengthwise into thirds and rotate 90 degrees. Repeat twice on same setting to smooth dough and increase its elasticity.
- Turn the dial to next narrower setting. Pass dough through twice, gently supporting it with your palm. Continue to press dough, passing it through ever-finer settings, two passes on each setting, until sheet is almost translucent and very thin but still intact (number 5 of 8 on a KitchenAid pasta roller). The dough will stretch to about 16 inches long. If dough bubbles or tears, pass it through again, and dust with flour if the dough is sticking.
- For farfalle, lasagna squares, or ravioli: Place rolled sheet on a lightly floured surface, and cut out as directed in corresponding recipe, using a dry brush to dust flour off if needed. For ribbon pastas: Place dough on a drying rack until slightly tacky, 10 to 15 minutes, and then use a pasta machine or cutting attachment to cut into strands. Drape over rack until strands are semidry and won’t stick together, about 20 minutes. Cook immediately, or lay flat on a baking sheet dusted with semolina, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
About Chef Chef Maria
Born in Venezuela, Chef Maria developed her passion for food as a young girl. In her early 20’s she came to the United States and entered the restaurant business in Boston MA. Later in San Diego CA she opened El Tucan Restaurant. It was in San Diego that Chef Maria was challenged by the culture and regional ingredients that ultimately contributed to the inventive style she’s known for today. Also during this time in San Diego, Chef Maria was introduced to organic produce importance of nutrition.
