Soberwolf

Ive never made my own ravioli that dish sounds delicious mrs sw loves ravioli so definatly post the recipe bud i think i need a pasta machine might have to invest now

argh now im getting hungry lol i have trouble when good food starts getting mentioned lol

Gonnachange

Jshobdhi, being stronger than our AV is the goal. Being here helps tremendously. Can't wait to read about what you eventually cooked. No pressure. :-)

And we want to. If you're like me then you have a lot of good going on in your life. That's great and I hope that we both can overcome our issues and live a long and happy life.


Della, thanks for being such a consistent supporter. Yes, I write about my struggles, but I also find it therapeutic to write about other aspects of my life. Clearly cooking is a passion.

An Early Night

It's a little past 8 PM on a Saturday and I'm ready to grab my book and head to bed. Dinner was great, but before temptations come around I'm heading upstairs.

I'm not sure how much time I'll have to post or read on SR tomorrow; I'm going to brunch and a Broadway show with my cousin and before that I'll likely have to shovel six inches of snow.

Stay warm and safe SR community.

Gonnachange

Too tired tonight and tomorrow is uber busy, but I'll send something in the next couple of days.

Della1968

Have fun! What show are you going to see?

SW I want a pasta machine too! This from the girl doing low carb lol!

Gonnachange

There are probably as many ways of making pasta as there are people and even I switch it up somewhat by using different recipes and different flours. Also, it's difficult to give precise measurements because there are so many variables such as the size of the egg, humidity, moisture in the flour, etc. Fortunately, it doesn't take long to recognize the correct feel. This is the basic recipe I used yesterday:

1 cup durum semolina
1 egg
about 1 tablespoon of water.

I threw the first two ingredients into a food processor and then added the water. In about 30 seconds a ball was formed and I let the machine run for another 2-2 1/2 minutes. I then separated the ball into four smaller ones and let them rest for 20-30 minutes before rolling them out in my Marcato Atlas pasta roller machine. FYI, the whole process can be done by hand if you're someone who likes to knead and use a rolling pin.

If you want more details just let me know.

We're going to see Larry David's A Fish In The Dark.

Today

I'm having some anxiety about sitting in the middle of the row in the theater today. I'm fine with aisle seats, like the one I had last weekend, but being cramped in the middle really doesn't do it for me. I hope I'm able to calm down and enjoy the show.

Della1968

I am an aisle person myself maybe it will be so good you won't even realize you are in the middle!

BernieE

I love Larry David's crazy point of view and wit. Hope you're so wrapped up in the show that you don't notice where you sit.

Gonnachange

Thanks guys. Sure hope that's the way it goes. I had a similar situation last year when we saw Kinky Boots and although I was eventually able to calm down, at various points during the play I would experience waves of anxiety/claustrophobia. It's quite embarrassing and certainly diminishes my enjoyment of the production.

We're going to the same place as last week for brunch and I'm going to employ the same strategy of getting a virgin Bloody Mary as my beverage that is included with the meal.

PurpleKnight

Keep pushing through Gonnachange!!

Gonnachange

Thank you. I had my virgin Bloody Mary at brunch so I stuck with my game plan.

A cruel "trick" was played on me because when we went to get seated our group of six had an aisle seat and it was given to me. Hooray! Unfortunately we were not in the right seats and had to move and I was placed in a middle of the row seat. My anxiety was heightened, but due to calming techniques and the help of my friends I was able to deal with the situation. A little embarrassing, but I was with friends who have seen this before and I was able to calm down and enjoy the show. Clearly having anxiety about being squished into a Broadway theater seat is a first world problem so I'm no in any manner complaining, just sharing my thoughts.

My wife was home when I got back and although I'm typing away here we spent some time catching up on our respective weekends and will do more of the same one I'm finished here.

SoberLeigh

Good to hear you had a nice time. Gonnachange.

'first world problem' - that made me chuckle.

Della1968

Yay!!!

Gonnachange

You guys are so supportive of me and I truly wish I could somehow give some payback.

SL, that's one of the phrases I use to help me rationalize what's going on around me and to calm down. Today it helped me remind myself that I'm safe, I'm with friends (and usually my wife, but not today), and I'm in a B'way theater by choice spending money I can afford. I can't always push the anxiety away by thinking like this, but it's generally an effective technique for me.

tokidoki

Hey Gonnachange! Just need to say that I support you unconditionally. Your honesty has been my inspiration. Must admit that I am still on the road, but trying to build my sobriety muscles. Okay, important stuff... I'm from MN and just got back from "the cities" as we call it.. Anyway, had the best ravioli ever (lobster ravioli)... Incredible. I frankly cannot make pasta at home, but if you have any ideas about making the best simple Italian dishes, I'd appreciate hearing about it. I'm sure you're not busy with anything else (stupid sarcastic laugh here), but if you have any ideas or suggestions--would appreciate it.

Della1968

He makes lovely things

Have you seen the recipe thread??

Gonnachange

Thanks for posting here. I'm still struggling with my sobriety muscles also and often have to take it one hour or less at a time. As for honesty, I don't see the point of writing here if I'm not. Yes the eff ups are hard to write about, but knowing that I'm going to have to do so adds a big layer of accountability.

Getting to the important stuff, your question is too open ended for me to answer; be more specific and I'll do all I can to help. That written, making raviolis is a three step process. Number one is making the dough. Number two is making the filling. Number three is making the ravs. Okay, I guess it's really a four step process because they need to be cooked.

Once the dough and filling are made I have two methods of making the raviolis. One is laying out a sheet of pasta, putting a dollop of filling in the middle, folding the sheet of past over the filling, crimping around the filling to remove any air pockets (very important), and then cutting. The other method I use is a tray like this
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Ravioli...=ravioli+press

If you want any more info please let me know.

Gonnachange

I just joined that yesterday.

Thanks for your kind words and continual support.

Della1968

I am only in it for the ravioli...well that and I just plain like you.

tokidoki

Have not seen the recipe thread. Where is it?

Della1968

Toki it's in Cafe Central