Saturday, June 17, 2017

Pasta Machine, The Marcato Atlas Wellness 150

The machine arrived! And the quality is far better than I expected.

 

My very first attempt using the machine was easy and I had no difficulty at all. Here’s a single serving recipe rolled out and ready to cut using the machine.


Here’s the Fettuccini cut from the single serving recipe not cooked yet.


The Fettuccini yield cooked.


The spaghetti cut from the single serving recipe not cooked yet.


The spaghetti yield cooked.
(When making this dough it was a little dry. I suspect I didn’t measure the flour accurately and needed to add a little water. I added 1 tbs of water but should have added 1 tsp as stated in the recipe. Then it came out wet and had to add 3 tbs more flour to get the dough right. This is why there is more than the fettuccini serving.)


[Blogger is giving me fits with the line spacing, don't know why]

I have been making fresh pasta for several years using a rolling pin to roll to the proper thickness and a wood framed banjo wire type cutter to cut the rolled-out pasta to shape or size, this works but the rolled thickness is difficult to be consistent. I’ve been looking forward to the Marcato machine as it will be a lot easier and be produce a uniform dough thickness rather than hand rolling with a rolling pin. I make the dough using a food processor as this is a very quick way to make the dough! It still amazes me how fast the processor works.


This Marcato’s Original World-Famous Atlas Pasta Machine rolls and cuts pasta dough for making traditional lasagna, fettuccine, ravioli and spaghetti at home.

Is this a Prepper Machine?
Maybe, providing your disaster prep’s are nearing completion or you simply love fresh pasta to feed your family and friends. It’s especially useful as a prep tool if you have an alternative power source to power a food processor. I do have a small 200 watt solar system that easily handles the few seconds of power for the food processor. And yes, it is easy to make the dough by hand I know because that’s the way I used to make it, but the processor is lightening fast and very consistent.

Also, instead of stocking dry pasta long term, all you would need is to stock All Purpose white flour and make all the fresh pasta you could ever want providing you have eggs, however powdered eggs also work fine.

A 25lb bag of All Purpose flour fills perfectly a 5 gallon bucket. From this bucket you can produce 121 almost 2 cup servings of fresh cooked pasta.

Another note; it only take about 2 minutes to cook fresh pasta so be ready to cook it very quickly as compared to dry pasta.

Also, there are many knock-offs of this original premium Italian made machine. They are not worth your money, even though they are $20.00+ less. Buy the Italian made machine. This Marcato machine is a work of manufacturing art and is warranted for 10 years.




The Pasta Recipe I Use:
This is just too easy not to make.

Ingredients for almost a 2 cups cooked:
1 egg
2/3 cup flour

Directions:
Use a food processor if possible because it’s the easiest.
Add all the flour, then Pulse to aerate the flour.
Then add the slightly beaten egg/eggs.
Turn on and mix the dough for about 30 seconds.
If wet and sticky add a tablespoon at a time of flour.
If dry and crumbly add a teaspoon at a time of water.

Remove the dough from the processor, be careful of the sharp blade.

Knead the dough by hand until smooth, about 3-5 minutes.

Wrap dough ball in plastic then let the dough rest for about 15 minutes before you begin rolling it out.

Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Roll the dough thinner and thinner, progressing from ‘zero’  machine setting to the #5 for fettuccini or #7 for spaghetti, one step at a time.

Cut the dough sheet length in half then use the machine cut either Spaghetti or Fettuccine.

To cook the noodles, just boil them in salted water for about two minutes. They cook lightning fast, so don’t let them cook too long.

Important if making a lot of pasta: To keep the pasta dough or freshly cut dough from drying out, always keep it under a damp towel. The dough dries out very quickly if you don’t.


Links:

Link to Amazon for a detailed description or to buy:

Marcato Atlas Wellness 150 Pasta Machine:


Video by Marcato the manufacturer, how to use:
Atlas Wellness 150 directions for use and cleaning

Video by Cooks Illustrated,
How to Make Fresh Pasta (Homemade Fettuccine) Using the Marcato Pasta machine:


5 comments:

  1. I have had one of these Atlas machines for over 25 years and it still looks and works like new. Used to be you could buy a motor for it, too. You don't need eggs to make fresh pasta, either, in a pinch.

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    Replies
    1. Tew, yes they still make the motor attachment. I have seen many recipes for egg-less pasta but never tried it. As long as I have eggs or egg powder I'll stick with tradition. :-)

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    2. I don't eat enough pasta to make getting a machine cost effective, but my spam slicer has sure been a nice acquisition.

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    3. You're right Harry, it's not very cost effective but I enjoy cooking and making pasta so I'm happy especially since I no longer have to roll and cut the pasta by hand.

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  2. The Atlas machines are great machines even if they cost a bit more. They are easy to use and are fantastic if you like fresh pasta. I got mine at https://artisancooking.com/, here is the page for the Atls 150 https://artisancooking.com/product/atlas-wellness-150-pasta-maker/

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