Dining from the Dollar Store: Spinach Pasta

I was inspired by the last meal in the series which featured spinach fettuccine. Making one's own pasta is fun, and all of the ingredients can be had at the Dollar Store. I found the recipe online and added some of my own ingredients.

 SPINACH PASTA

Ingredients:

1 package frozen spinach [10 ounces]

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

Garlic powder

Onion Powder

Black pepper

Oil

 Equipment:

Measuring spoons

Measuring cup

Mixing spoon

Blender or food processor

Two tea towels [not terry cloth]

Pot

Colander

Microwave-safe container [not plastic]

Rolling pin

Fillet knife

Directions:

 

Open the package of  spinach and empty into a microwave-safe container.

 Add a little water, cover, and cook for two minutes. Empty the spinach into a colander.

Drain the spinach, even squeezing it with your hands, to remove excess water.
Add the spinach, eggs and salt to the food processor or blender.

Add onion powder, garlic powder and ground pepper to the mix,

Then blend until smooth.

Pour the contents of the blender or food processor into a bowl, and measure out two cups of flour.

Add the flour to the bowl and stir.

Add enough flour so that the mixture becomes firm but not sticky. When the spinach and the flour are combined, sprinkle the counter with flour, and set the ball of dough upon it. Roll the dough around in the flour and knead it, adding flour as you knead, until the dough becomes slightly stiff.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle more flour on the counter, and roll out the dough until it's 1/16th of an inch thick.

Roll the dough up, as if making a jelly roll,

Slice the dough into 1/4 inch sections. Pinch the dough between your fingers as you slice to keep the dough from flattening under the pressure of the knife's blade.

Unroll the pasta sections and set them on tea towels to rest.

Bring the water in the pot to boil, add a dollop or two of oil, then add the pasta to the pot.

Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, then drain in a colander and return the pasta to the pot.

Serve with Parmesan cheese or crumbled Queso Blanco, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

 Equipment found at the Dollar Store:

Colander [plastic]
Mixing spoon
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Chef's knife


Variations:

Add crushed garlic (the Dollar Store sells garlic presses) and diced onions to the dough for added flavor.

Add other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, cheese and more.