Homemade pasta is something I’m going to try to do more of in 2018. It’s really not all that hard and, even when you’re just making plain pasta, the result is so worth the effort. But throw into the mix the fact that you can go wild with different shapes, flavors and colors and, well, the benefits of homemade fresh pasta become even more pronounced.
And while it might take a little time and effort to make, the process is surprisingly easy. You can also make a big batch and freeze it for later use (we get two whole dinners and two leftover lunches out of one batch of pasta, making it well worth the initial effort).
Dramatic black squid ink pasta is one of my favorite kinds of pasta, and something I usually only see on fancy restaurant menus. You can often find dried squid ink pasta in Italian specialty shops or gourmet grocery stores, but, like regular pasta, it’s so much better when it’s fresh.
The squid ink is not flavorless, but rather lends a subtle brininess to the pasta in addition to the dramatic black color, so sauce accordingly. I find it’s best served with some sort of seafood, such as shrimp, crab, or calamari. And, might I add, stay away from the cheese: it’s Italian culinary doctrine that cheese and seafood shall not mix. I’d argue there are some situations where that rule can be broken, but in this instance, I think it’s valid.
If you have flour and eggs, then technically you can make pasta at home. That said, there are a few tricks, strategies, and special ingredients that will make your pasta even better.
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Fresh pasta just feels like luxury to me. I LOVE it. I love homemade gnocchi, colorful pasta (like this ravioli) and flavored pasta (like spinach and beet). If you’ve never had fresh pasta before I highly recommend making some at home or finding a restaurant in your neck of the woods that makes their own. This pasta falls under the category of something just a little bit different or maybe full-on weird to some of you. I first had squid ink pasta while on a trip to New York with my mom and Elsie. It just sounded exotic. I ordered feeling like I was either going to love it or totally regret not getting something safe like risotto. And I loved it! Seriously. And ever since then I’ve been dreaming of making my own. I didn’t know if I’d be able to find squid ink at any of my local grocery stores, so I bought some online. The ink I used is actually cuttlefish ink. Cuttlefish aren’t actually squids, but they are in the same family as squids. And I had read that their ink is actually a dark brown, but it looked pretty black to me. Squid Ink Pasta, makes three to four servings.
Some people like to do this process on a clean counter (instead of in a bowl). I find that the bowl helps to contain the mess and gives me a way to keep the liquid from running in the beginning. But you do as you like. Cover the dough ball in plastic wrap and allow to rest for an hour on the counter. You can make pasta dough the evening before you want to use it and store it, wrapped, in the refrigerator. Just be sure to give it plenty of time (at least one hour) to sit out on the counter to return to room temperature before shapping. Now use a pasta roller or other pasta making machine to flatten the dough and cut into your desired shape. I use Kitchen Aid attachments to make pasta at home. I described my process in this post. Only for this recipe I decided to make angel hair pasta rather than fettuccine. Fresh pasta will cook slightly faster than dry pasta. I cooked this in boiling, salted water for about six and half minutes.
In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Use the back of your measuring cup to create a well in the center. In a small bowl stir together the ink and water until well combined. The ink may be quite thick and you want it to evenly disperse within the entire dough. Into the center of your flour well pour the eggs, egg yolk and ink water. Use a fork to mix until a crumbly dough forms. Use your clean hands to knead the dough until it becomes somewhat smooth and elastic feeling (about 8 minutes).
2 cups all purpose flour (or “00” flour if you can find it) 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk (room temperature eggs work best, but cold is ok too) 1/2 tablespoon squid (or cuttlefish) ink 2 tablespoons warm water a pinch of salt
For the sauce I simply combined three tablespoons olive oil with two tablespoons fresh lemon juice. While the pasta is still quite hot (just after draining) I tossed it with a few cubed tablespoons of butter, then the lemon olive oil and then I sprinkled on salt and pepper. Top with shredded parmesan cheese. You could easily use any kind of sauce you prefer, like tomato or pesto. As you can see I made two batches of fresh pasta, one plain and one with squid ink. I think they look pretty together. In case you are curious about the taste of inky pasta the truth is that it’s a lot more added color than flavor. The ink taste is savory and subtle. Try it. Happy kitchen experiments! xo. Emma
Binging with Babish: Squid Ink Pasta from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
FAQ
What is so special about squid ink pasta?
What does squid ink ramen taste like?
Is squid ink pasta healthier than regular pasta?
What is squid ink made of?
What is squid ink pasta?
Squid ink spaghetti elevates a classic pasta dish by incorporating a subtle briny flavor from the unique black pasta. More popular pasta recipes: Penne Pomodoro, Pastalaya and Stuffed Ziti Fritta. Squid ink is what gives this pasta its unique and defining black coloring.
What is the difference between squid ink pasta and cuttlefish ink?
Cuttlefish ink is what gives the pasta its gorgeous black color, it also gives it an amazing flavor. Squid ink pasta has a rich, briny flavor with the faint hint of sea saltiness, which makes it absolutely perfect for pairing with seafood. I’ve found that the fresh squid ink pasta has the most flavor, while the dry pasta flavor is less noticeable.
Does black squid ink pasta taste fishy?
Black Squid ink pasta does not have a “fishy” flavor or scent in any way. A robust pasta sauce loaded with fresh lemon juice, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, and white wine (or chicken broth) is the perfect pairing for squid pasta. Squid ink pasta sauce needs to compliment the flavor of the noodles, not overpower it or mask it.
Does squid ink brighten ramen noodles?
This isn’t news to those who have been lucky enough to enjoy a plate of food flavored with squid ink, but the ingredient may seem daunting to the uninitiated. Rest assured, though, that despite its dark hue, squid ink’s flavor can brighten up a plate of shellfish when infused inside pasta, rice, or ramen noodles.