Pici alla Pomodoro

Pici Senesi pasta is a thick, hand-rolled pasta from Siena in Tuscany, and there is evidence that this pasta dates back to Etruscan times. It's made with just flour, water and sometimes olive oil, and it's super quick and easy to make.
The great thing about this pasta is it's really easy to work with - perfect for beginner pasta makers and kids, or if you're short on time, and it can be served with pretty much any sauce, although it is traditionally served with Casio e Pepe sauce.

Pici Pasta

Makes 4 servings

300 grams flour
2/3 cup warm water
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Put the flour on a clean work surface and make a well in the middle.
Add the olive oil and warm water to the well and incorporate it into the flour using a fork until a rough dough forms.
Once a rough dough has formed, knead the dough for 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Wrap the dough in plastic w...

Cheese and Crackers

Today we are going to make homemade crackers and taste cheese from the Dairy Maids.

HOMEMADE CRACKERS

2 cups flour
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
egg wash - one egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
Toppings of your choice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder.  Mix to combine the dry ingredients.
Add the olive oil and the water, and mix until a ball of dough has been formed. No need to knead--just mix until the ingredients are incorporated.
Divide the dough in half.  Roll out the dough directly on two ungreased cookie sheets.  
Once the dough is rolled thin, brush the egg wash over the surface of the crackers, and sprinkle with the toppings of your choice. Sea salt and fresh rosemary, or Parmesan cheese, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic salt -- really, just about an...

Yogurt and Yogurt Cheese

Yogurt is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat and it is so easy to make at home! No special equipment is required.

Yogurt Without a Yogurt Makera
blespoon plain
1 saucepan
1 large bowl
1 small bowl
1 tablespoon yogurt starter or plain yogurt
1 quart whole milk

Yield: 8 Servings (4 ounces each)

Warm up milk on medium-low until bubbles appear around the edge and steam rises from the surface.
Pour into large bowl to cool until temperature hits 110-115º on thermometer or if you don’t have one, do what the locals do: the temperature is correct when your index finger can stay in the warm milk for ten seconds.
Put starter in small bowl, add some of the heated milk and stir until well-blended. Pour small bowl mixture into large bowl a third at a time, making sure to stir and blend well before each addition.
End with a final stir, making sure all is well-blended.
Cover with a t...

Compound Butters

These recipes were loosely adapted from sisterspicekitchen.com.

ORANGE HONEY BUTTER

2 sticks unsalted butter (if you use salted butter, omit salt)
zest of a medium orange
1 tablespoon juice from the orange
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
 
Ways to enjoy:
Spread over:
• Biscuits
• Pancakes
• French toast
• Cornbread
Melt over:
• Fish filets, including halibut, sea bass, salmon
• Grilled, roasted or pan-seared pork chops
• Grilled chicken breasts
• Roasted chicken
• Steamed asparagus

CHIVE BUTTER

2 sticks unsalted butter (if you use salted butter, omit salt)
1 package fresh chives minced, about 3 tablespoons
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
 
Ways to enjoy:
Spread over:
• Hot corn on the...