Jun
12
Moules Pasta
Mussels and Fettucini, instead of your usual fries. New Pasta Maker!!
So what’s cool about this device is the name of it. Its called “La Chitarra” which in italian, means GUITAR, and if you look at the structure it does mimic the base structure of a guitar. Someone should really invent such a device for cutting fabric strips of BIAS, especially for super annoying fabrics like chiffon. If you’re an avid sewer you know you just dread the feeling of having to cut bias strips yourself. If you’re interested in La Chitarra, you can buy them here!! Or if you’re not hooked on the price, you can also google “chitarra pasta maker”.
So apparently you’re supposed to use this roller and apply pressure on the pasta sheet so that the wires cut through the sheet. It took a while to do this, longer than I thought it would take anyway.
After you keep rolling back and forth, the pasta sheet starts to separate through the metal strings and falls into the box below. I had a hard time with this and realized you have to flour the sheet so that it doesn’t stick.
One of my favorite ingredients about making a pot of Mussels are the shallots. I like a lot of shallots, and sliced garlic.
I served the mussels in a pot before adding the pasta. I’ve added the pasta in before, but its a nuisance to eat pasta in a haphazard bed of mussels.
Proper way to eat mussels; use an empty shell to clasp onto the meat of another mussel. There are no forks used in France.
So after a good deal of the mussels are done, I just used the same pot and placed the cooked noodles inside of the broth and remaining scattered mussels.
that looks really delicious! and i've never seen anyone make pasta that way before, so cool!
http://vivian-flightoffancy.blogspot.com/
I've never seen the chitarra before. I've made pasta before with my mom with a completely different device and I can't remember the name of it..you feed the dough in one side and turn a handle and it comes out stringy on the other side. Anyway, I like that you make your meals from scratch.
http://fashionroadkill-halifax.blogspot.com
looks delicious
Mmmm yum yum yum..
Wow!
That looks so yummy!
This was an amazing post. Not only is this like…the perfect meal, but the photos are beautiful and you inspire me to cook for myself. I LOVE food and I really love cooking, but when I'm alone, I feel like cooking is a waste of time and I end up eating really simple/boring/easy things. But now I want to go cook myself a delicious meal.
ashley-
Yea, I know what you're talking about, those are pretty traditional too but I like the chitarra because it focuses on making only one time of pasta, fettucini.
Daphne-
Thanks! I'm glad you're inspired to cook, usually I make really easy to eat meals at home too like mac n cheese or just tomato soup and grilled cheese but I think its good to go all out once in a while.
I love how you provide pictures of the cooking process along with the recipe, if you made a cook book it would be amazing!
I actually don't even like shellfish, yet I'm still salivating a bit over this post. You are the queen of presentation!
Kristin
http://www.studymodel.blogspot.com
mmm so yummy….i'm drooling.
thanks so much for the step by step recipe. it looks absolutely delicious judging from your photos. and making the fettucine from scratch looks fun. mmm… white wine and mussels, never tried that before… but as you said, the simpler the sauce, the better the taste of the ingredients
What can I say… You are amazing!
xx
kristin-
yea I used to be really creeped out by shellfish as well- I still won't go near crawfish.
cindy-
you're welcome!
I'm glad people like you enjoy the process of making food. I love cooking every night and you are always inspiring me to think outside of the box when it comes to crafting my menus every week and looking for new ways (new tools) of cooking. Thanks again.
I am super impressed and inspired! I love mussels but lately I've gone off the, though this has inspired me to eat them again now.
This is porn.
Also, seriously, this week was garbage–the nonstop RAIN? the gray?? Do not beat yourself up over it. Les Mis.
love that contraption. i would probably make a mess of it though! your dishes always look so amazing. i am craving mussels now. might have them tomorrow.. xoxo
there is a french place near me and they have the best moules frites…but i'm with you on trying to lay off the frites for a while. oh so addicting. when i lived in nyc, i was all about the moules frites at pastis. yes, i'm an actress. i'm shooting a short film and auditioning while still working a regular job. it's hard but i love it!
yummm it looks soo good!! ive been wanting to make some mussels but ive been reluctant to deal with them after reading Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential..he says if not cleaned properly, they just lay in their own piss…How do u clean and prep them? Thanks for posting all these pictures and recipes! can't wait to try it!
-naiyana
Nayana-
I usually place them in cold water with a ton of salt and drained them several times. Afterwards I debeard them.
everything looks delicious! i don't really like muscles but i bet it would taste just as good with clams or scallops
Oh god…eating a meal like this would be heaven for me. I spend so much money eating out when I could be saving so much by making it at home!!
Alas…I'm not a very good cook, but I'm definitely willing to try this at home.
Question, did you boil the mussels in water and wine before adding the shallots/garlic/oil? Or did you sort of just sauteed it in wine oil shallotsgarlicoil?
heaven…. ♥
thanks for the tip…im gonna try it out tmr for lunch so my fresh thyme doesnt all turn bad
Beautiful!
My friend's mum had a similar version. It's sooo good.
It's made with "la-la" (this South-East Asian version of the mussel which is white/gray and rounder) cooked in a simple broth with lots of garlic, mint, parsley and some other fresh herbs (might have been thyme?)
Makes a great light snack on its own or with some rice.
I just googled it and it seems it may be "Venus clams".
The pictures of the pasta-making process are hot! I love that you put effort into the food photography.
Naiyana-
No problem. If you think about what mussels are its hard to eat em no matter how much you clean em
so try not to think about them sitting in their own piss.
josh-
yea i like all seafood to have a simple broth so i can taste the meat. Venus gclams with garlic/mint/parsley sounds so amaze. pasta pictures are actually my favorite of this post as I am clearly obsessed with my new contraption!
wow, i really need to stop reading your blog before i've eaten. i'm starving now! it's like going grocery shopping when you're hungry. although, i've read your blog after eating to the point of a coma and it STILL gets me hungry. the power of pictures… those mussels look so good!
can you open up a restaurant that sells your clothes too? that would be awesome!
I've never had fresh homemade pasta or mussels in my life. These pictures make me feel like I need to remedy that immediately.
I had no idea the mussels were so easy to cook. This is so great! And I love the pasta idea. I might experiment with a brown rice pasta – it's what I have on hand but might not take to the broth as well. We'll see! Thanks for sharing. xo
hmmm i would love to eat a bowl of that right now!!!
camille x
You resipes like a piece of art. And photos!I cooked you pizza with rear, it was soooooo tasty!thank you!
Also I want say that your creativity in everything are amazing!You are so talented!
Tinkle-
yes everyone keeps saying they get hungry. I don't like it I wish you guys could eat out of the computer screen!
isabel-
you need some time (A good two hours for the pasta) but it is well worth it.
keepfeeling-
it is so easy. The easiest thing on earth. The only thing is, don't overcook the mussels which I always do. They taste good anyway.
Camille-
a bowl of pasta = most comforting thing ever.
Marina-
Thanks! I don't post recipes actually maybe I should start.
Hi! I love reading your blog cause of all the delish dishes you come up with! I can never seem to make mussels just right at home. Im going to try your recipe today!
Seriously, when are you going to come visit me and cook? hahaha. Since I've been living on grilled cheese every day for the last week because I finally bought a little george foreman grill hahaha.
I think these pictures look more real than real life does!
mmmmm, this meal looks divine….YUMMY!! & i LOVE your photos, so amazing and full of life…
<3.
This looks amazing! I am a pasta junky!!=D
so funny that you said that about making a collection inspired by the images i posted. if i were to ever become a designer, that's probably the first thing i'd do.
i've secretly had this wild dream collection in my head based upon the more "extreme" aspects of african tribal culture for the past couple of years.. but alas i can't sketch or drape or sew worth shit.
oh.. and ps. i thought i had commented on this entry before, but it seems as though i have not.
i think it's super cool that you make your own pasta noodles. i really want to try making squid ink pasta instead of buying it. it's too expensive but it's so good!
my week has been an exact reflection of what you just described. procrastinating + feeling unproductive can be so irritating. Im not sure where you are but the dreary winter weather doesnt help! that aside you always produce such amazing photos and food which is definately something to get excited about. ive never seen a pasta maker like this but the one i own is so hard to master i usually just give up and go buy mine! looks like you did an unreal job. love all the content as always xx
Yummy!
amazing.
just amazing.
I love your food photography.
I saw that you put your A. Wang dress! I'm crying tears of blood that your dress is probably crying RIGHT NOW AT THIS VERY MOMENT. haha I hope it goes to a good home. I'll be wearing mine very soon. (By very soon, I mean within a month.)
I'm so hungry right now staring at your blog, but I swore that I would stop midnight snacking this week. I resent this temptation.
wow, great photos. homemade pasta looks yummy
ohmygoodness. it probably wasn't a good idea stopping by this time! my stomach is literally growling.
<3
Absolutely unreal! Your vintage pasta maching is incredible, as your beautiful photos, I'm in awe of your cooking and photography skills!
A M A Z I N G ! ! !
xx
Do you speak Italian? Like everyone else, I'm dying to try your handmade pasta!
those are some of the most amazing photos of food prep ever! I love your different mechanisms.
http://www.rantingsofashopaholic.com
This is the most incredible and delicious looking thing I´ve ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!
x
where did you get that amazing glass pot for the pasta water? WOW!!!!!! I love your blog!
OMG. IT LOOKS FANTASTIC AND SUPER DELISH. could i have the recipie? o.o i wanna try cooking it. lol.
There is practically nothing I really enjoy more than visiting this blog site every single evening following work. Thanks a lot for most of the marvelous posts!!