Homemade Beet Bowtie Pasta Meal
We made:
- Rosemary Chicken (Roasted in the oven at 350F until cooked through)
- Baby Squash Medallions (pan fried)
- Beet bowtie pasta with goat cheese
The pasta was the most time intensive and complicated part, so we decided to outline the steps for that in more detail than the others in this instructable. Further info on parts 1 and 2 at the end.
Beet Pasta - the Recipe
We used a slight adaptation on Martha Stewart's Fresh Beet Pasta recipe (see link)
Ingredients:
8 ounces red or golden beets (about 2 medium)
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (white or stone ground), plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
Roast Your Beets
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Rinse beets to remove dirt
- Place beets in casserole dish and fill halfway with water
- We found that this took approximately an hour and a half with our large beets - would recommend an alternate roasting method (wrap in foil) or if you are also dealing with large beets, cutting them in quarters will help
- Cook beets until softened
- Beets are done when skin rubs off easily
- Puncture with a fork for an early read - should easily pierce
- Cool beets and remove skin
Puree Beets
- Cut skinned beets to fit your food processor
- Puree thoroughly - may still look a little chunky
- In food processor, mix the following:
- 1/2 cup pureed beets
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- Puree until lightened in color
Make Your Dough
- Mix in a bowl
- 2 1/2 cups of flour (all purpose white or all purpose stone ground for a chewier texture)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Add beet-egg mixture and mix until combined (should look slightly dry)
- Turn dough onto clean, lightly floured counter top and knead until firm
- Dough should maintain form but not be crumbly
Roll Dough
- Separate dough into 3 parts
- Roll dough with rolling pin until very thin (thickness around a penny is ideal)
- Maintain a well floured surface
- Frequently flip/move dough to reduce sticking
Note: Divide into more pieces if you are working with less counter space. The thinness of the dough is critical to the final mouthfeel of the bowties
Cut Circles (Or Any Shape You Please)
We used a small glass from a brewery tour as a make-shift cutting tool
Note: You can buy a special tool for the more traditional crimped edge (link here) and cut pasta into wide strips, and then smaller squares and proceed
Forming Your Bowties
- Place finger in center of circle
- Pinch outer edges towards center
- Remove finger and pinch middle (hard) to form a seal
- Admire your work
Dry Your Bowties
After forming bowties, set aside for 10-15 minutes to dry a little. This will help them maintain their form during and after cooking.
Cook and Season Your Bowties
- Drop bowties into simmering salted water in small batches
- You know the pasta is done when it floats to the top
- Strain pasta and drain of water
- Place cooked pasta aside, add olive oil to prevent sticking
- Add any additional olive oil to taste
- Sprinkle goat cheese crumbles on top after plating
Make It a Complete Meal
- Rosemary Chicken (Roasted in the oven at 350F until cooked through)
- Chicken tenders
- Fresh rosemary
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt & Pepper
-
Baby Squash Medallions (pan fried)
- Chopped baby squash
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chopped onions
- Lemon juice
- Truffle oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Shaved Parmesan
3. Side salad
- Roasted beets
- Lettuce
- Goat cheese (crumbled on top)
Enjoy Your Romantic Meal!
One serving shown here with Grapefruit Gin Fizz Cocktails