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Homemade orecchiette

Homemade orecchiette

Orecchiette are a type of pasta that is very common in Apulia and Basilicata, two Southern Italian regions. Their name comes from orecchie, ears, because of their shape. In fact, orecchiette literally means “small ears”.
5 from 37 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting time 15 minutes
Course Pasta & Risotti
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 400 grams semolina
  • 200 grams lukewarm water
  • salt

Instructions
 

  • On a flat, big working surface, mix semolina together with salt. Create a "volcano" shape out of the semolina, by creating a hole in the middle of the flour pile.
  • Add lukewarm water little by little into the center and mix it into the semolina, allowing the semolina to absorb all the water.
  • Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes, until elastic and well-mixed. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  • Cut a piece of the dough (about 1/4 or 1/6) and roll out into a 1-1.5cm thick "sausage". Keep the rest of the dough covered. Cut into pieces of about 1 cm long.
  • To shape a piece, take a normal table knife, and push the piece downwards by pushing the flat part of the blade with your fingers and pulling the knife towards you. The dough will stretch and curl around the knife. Invert the pasta curl by pushing it with your thumb, to create the inside-out shape.
  • Store covered and preferably don't let the individual pasta pieces touch each other to avoid sticking together. Continue shaping the entire dough, piece by piece until finished. When fresh, cooking the pasta takes about 4 minutes. If using dried or frozen ones, increase cooking time.

Notes

  • Use a wooden surface, or anything similar, to create a more rustic look on the orecchiette when you drag them with a knife.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 8gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 325mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 3gCalcium: 13mgIron: 3mg

Caution

Nutritional information shall not be used for medical reasons.

Keyword authentic italian pasta recipe, how to make pasta, italian pasta recipe
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