Dining In: Pasta party – Whipping up something special for guests

During the long winter months, it is hard to get motivated to do much of anything, much less entertain. So we’ve come up with a nice way to unwind without going to too much trouble.

Invite a few friends over for a “come as you are” evening and have them hang around your kitchen counter to help make homemade pasta. 

If you have never tried fresh, homemade pasta, you are missing out. It has a more delicate texture than pre-packaged pasta. Fresh pasta dough is simple to make and can be made without the help of a pasta machine. We like to use a combination of Semolina and all-purpose flour, but you can make it with whole wheat flour, too. Double the recipe and freeze half the dough for later use. The dough can make many different pasta shapes and can be filled to make ravioli or even used in pasta sheets to make lasagna. (Click here for a step-by-step guide to making your own fresh pasta.)

Also, you can always pick up a couple pounds of fresh pasta from Pasta Fresina in Drusilla Place Shopping Center to help supplement your homemade pasta—just to be on the safe side.

We are including a recipe for a Quick Homemade Marinara, as well as a delicious Lemony Garlic Shrimp. Both work well with pasta but are also great to use with other dishes. This marinara sauce is wonderful on pizza or as the base for a Bolognese. The shrimp, meanwhile, make a delicious appetizer or main course, even without the homemade pasta.

The point is you and your nearest and dearest will have a good time making some really good comfort food in the kitchen, as well as some fun memories. 

Click for the full recipe.
• Easy Marinara Sauce
• Fresh Egg Pasta
• Lemony Garlic Shrimp