Home Made pasta shapes

[JulieO]

Hope you don't mind me putting this on here but I had to share my excitement.  I purchased a pasta press attachment for my KitchenAid mixer from the US last Friday and it was delivered yesterday.  Was so excited to try it and followed their recipe for the dough and simply put it all in the TM and kneaded for 2 mins.  Just had to bring together with my hands and knead slightly into a ball.  Pulled pieces off and shaped into smaller balls ready to go into the hopper.

I'm making macaroni cheese for tea tonight, so chose the large macaroni shape disc and used up the last of the dough making fusilii (spirals) just to see how they came out.

I am so impressed with it, was so easy to use and the cutter is great as it cuts off whatever length you want your shapes.  The macaroni shape will make a perfect penne if left to extrude a bit longer.  It comes with 6 discs for different shapes I really can't wait to make more.

The booklet tells you that you can air dry them, then store in glass jars indefinitely (except for wholemeal - only 1 month) in a cool, dark cupboard, so I dried the lot today and put away in a cupboard but will use some tonight.

Here is a link to see it, there is a video further down the page to see it in action.  I'm really thrilled with it.  I've taken a couple of photos of just after making so you'll get the idea.  There's only a few fusili as I didn't have much dough left. 

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/kitchenaid-pasta-press-attachment/?pkey=x|4|1||4|kitchenaid%20pasta%20press||0&cm_src=SCH

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Those shapes look amazing Julie.  What a fantastic attachment.

Do you use your KitchenAid a lot?  My friend has decided to buy one instead of a TMX.  She said they do roughly the same things so is saving money.  I don't really know much about KitchenAids (and am still madly in love with my TMX) so haven't commented.

[cookie1]

Julie they look wonderful. I can imagine how exciting it must be making them.

[Thermomixer]

That looks great JulieO.  I have an older pasta extruder for the KA and the shapes come out the side.  This is more intelligent to have them come out below.  Much easier to cut them off into regular lengths.   I don't need one.............. but?

[JulieO]

Those shapes look amazing Julie.  What a fantastic attachment.

Do you use your KitchenAid a lot?  My friend has decided to buy one instead of a TMX.  She said they do roughly the same things so is saving money.  I don't really know much about KitchenAids (and am still madly in love with my TMX) so haven't commented.

Chelsea, No I don't use the mixer much really.  If I'm going to make a cake or pavlova then I will use it, I'd be silly not to, it's very good at what it does, but it can't do what the TM does.  Sure you can buy other attachments to slice veg, juice, mince meat (Tm is better as long as meat is partly frozen), stuff sausages, roll pasta and cut into spaghetti & fettuccini, and now the shape press, but they are all an additional cost on top of the mixer, which in itself is around $700.  I guess it comes down to what  is more important to you.  I already had the KA so didn't have that dilemma, but unless your friend is going to buy some of those attachments right off, basically she is only going to be able to do what a mixer does - mix.  I wasn't very impressed with the dough hook, some people swear by it, but I found it didn't do a very good job, certainly not like the TM can do. (dough hook does come standard).  I feel very lucky that I have both and can use each to it's best potential. 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Thanks Julie.  I was pretty sure that KitchenAid's don't have a heating function and are more of a mixer (although a very good one), but thought perhaps I was wrong.  It's fantastic that you are able to use both. 

[judydawn]

What fun you are going to have JulieO -  I'd want one of those attachments IF I had a KA 

[Gralke]

me too - I don't have a KA but would love to have one of these attachments.
Enjoy JulieO, enjoy!
Regards
Barbara

[Meagan]

That is very exciting I have a KA and the pasta roller attachment,  but being able to do your own spiral and tubular pasta is fantastic!!

[maddy]

Wow Julie......they look fantastic!
I have  been toying with the idea for a little while, about getting the basic pasta press for the KA....and have since discovered all the different pasta attachments available    I had no idea there was so many.
Just keeping my eyes open for some good specials  

[achookwoman]

Julie,  I,m green with envy .  I've  got a Kenwood,  pretty sure I can't get such a wizbang attachment.   Terrific web site,  thanks.

[CreamPuff63]

oh gee, I love all the purty colours that KA has and everyone raves about them. I just know I will have to work abit harder and get one. i think i can justify it....? !!!!

[Tebasile]

Wow how amazing Julie  . I have a pasta attachment for my juicer, but only for tagliatelle and spagetti and no  space for a kitchen aid   

[judydawn]

Chookie I have found an attachment for the Kenwood Chef but the URL just won't go to it.  I suggest you google -
AT936A pasta attachment for Kenwood Chef and have a look to see if it suits your model.

[maddy]

And chookie.....you can get a macaroni attachement! http://www.kenwood-australia.com/products/product_details.asp?Model=AT910
and here's the other one http://www.kenwood-australia.com/products/product_details.asp?Model=AT936A