Pappardelle

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Servings 4

Ingredients

400 grams 00 flour
4 large eggs
pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

Mix the flour (and salt, if using). Place the flour on a dry, clean work surface and form it into a mound. Create a large shallow well in the middle, making sure the walls are high enough to prevent the eggs from escaping. Add the eggs to the well. With a fork, beat the eggs; be careful not to disturb the walls of the flour.
Once the eggs are well beaten, begin to incorporate the flour walls into the egg mixture. Continue incorporating the flour with the eggs with your fork until you have a shaggy, solid mass.
At this point, using your hands, start folding and forming the dough, incorporating the rest of the flour until you have a stiff, solid mass (removing any dry clumps of flour). Knead the dough. Drive the palms of your hand into the dough, pushing the dough forward. Continue, rotating the dough and folding the dough over its self, which helps to incorporate air pockets into the dough. Repeat until the dough is firm and bouncy and has a smooth, silken texture, about 10 minutes.
Wrap the dough in plastic and let rest 30 minutes.
Lightly flour your work surface. Cut off 1/4 of the dough, leaving the rest covered. Flatten the piece of dough with a rolling pin. Next, run the dough through your pasta machine starting with the largest setting (typically ‘0’ or ‘1’). Run it one to two times through each successive pasta roller setting (until #5 on my KitchenAid attachment); although, you can vary the thickness depending on personal preference.
To cut the pappardelle: Dust the top of the sheet of dough with semolina flour and loosely roll it into a cylinder. Using a sharp knife, cut approximately 6-inches long and 3/4-inch wide pieces. Unwrap the noodles; dust with semolina and gently toss to separate. Place on a sheet pan and cover with a tea towel until ready to cook (or freeze in freezer bags for up to 2 months).