Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 10/22/2019 to
Product Spotlight
Although the first appearance of a pasta maker was reported in 1787, the first mass produced machine wasn't made until 1833 in Europe. Designed to roll out the dough, stretch it, and then cut it into the desired shape, pasta makers come in two forms--electric and manual. Most chefs in commercial settings use electric versions as they are fully automated and streamline the pasta making process. Although small electric ones designed for residential use can be found, the manual versions are much more popular among residential cooks.
To make pasta, there is a two-step process once the dough has been prepared. First is to roll it out into thin sheets, and the second is to cut those sheets into stripes or whatever shape of pasta you are making. Manual pasta makers have rollers that lengthen and flatten the dough into sheets for you via a hand crank. Once those sheets have been cut to the desired length, you then simply run the sheets through the pasta maker's cutter and voila, pasta! It's important however, to make sure that the manual pasta maker is properly secured prior to use as it needs to be on a sturdy base and the clamp adhering it to the countertop should be secure.
Some pasta makers, like this one from Norpro, does more than just pasta. In addition to being able to make three different types of pasta, it is also capable of grinding and mincing meat, beans, nuts, and vegetables. Attachments are also common--whether to provide variety in the type of pasta or to offer the machine as an add-on to an appliance already in your kitchen. KitchenAid does this by offering a ravioli maker as one of their attachment options for their stand mixers. Whatever your pasta preference, there is a pasta maker to help you create your own at home.
