This pasta is typical from Val d'Orcia, Tuscany. It's a fresh homemade pasta, similar to thick spaghetti, made with flour and water. Very approachable even if you have never made homemade pasta, you don't need any tool to make it and it is very fun, perfect to cook with your kids. I love simple things, that's why my favourite version is with tomato sauce. They are very good also with Pesto but you can really personalize the recipe as you like. The texture is the best part, in fact I like them also with butter and Parmigiano.
INGREDIENTS: (2servings)
FOR THE PASTA:
250g all purpose flour
125ml warm water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Semolina flour (or flour) for dusting the pici
FOR THE SAUCE:
6 tomatoes (Roma or San Marzano)
1 green or regular garlic
chili flakes (opt)
basil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
salt
Parmigiano
INSTRUCTIONS:
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Make an X cut to the bottom of your tomatoes and plunge them in boiling water until skin starts to peel, about 2 minutes
Place them in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peel and squeeze out seeds
Put the flour into a bowl. Make a hole in the center and add oil and salt. Add the water a bit at the time as every flour absorbs water in a different way
Mix the ingredients with your hands till you have a smooth firm dough (about 10'). Cover it and let it rest while you prepare the sauce
Chop the tomatoes
Pour the oil into a large pan, add the crushed whole garlic cloves and chili. Cook on low for 5' till garlic gives its flavor to the oil. Add the tomatoes, fresh basil, salt and cook on medium heat with a lead for about 30'
After resting time flatten your dough with a rolling pin. Bring a big pot of salted water to boil.
Cut the dough into stripes
Take each noodle and stretch it and roll it with your hands till you have thick spaghetti
Move each one into a floured surface so they don't stick to each other
Boil your pasta for about 3-5' depending on how thick they are (I always try my pasta as I like it al dente)
Add the pasta to the tomato sauce
Add fresh basil and pecorino cheese
Buon Appetito!
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