Homemade Pasta

I was able to pick up some durum wheat berries and have been anxious to use it to make pasta.  Finally I found the time to work on the pasta.

I got out the grinder and started the process.  First, I had to grind the durum wheat.

The next step is to pull out the pasta machine.
My pasta machine really makes this an easy project.  I just add flour and water to the machine and it does the work.  When the flour is sufficiently mixed I turn the knob and the noodles begin to come out.

I wanted to make some lasagna noodles but my machine did not come with a disc for lasagna, so I used a disc for making sugar cookies.  This disc produced strips a little thicker than lasagna so I pressed it to try to make it the right size.

Then I set the noodles, and the penne, I made on my drying rack overnight.

The next day I cooked the lasagna and I am sorry to say that I could not use it.  Even though I tried to press the strips thin, it just did not work.  The texture was way too heavy.  Disappointment prevailed in my kitchen!! But I headed to the grocery and bought the lasagna noodles and dinner was a success.

I am happy to report that the penne pasta came out great, so my pasta making experience was not a total loss.