WITCHES HAIR PASTA

This Halloween recipe consists of making orange pasta and black pasta in a fettucine or spaghetti cut and serving them with a browned butter-cranberries-pumpkin seed sauce.

Black Pasta Dough

• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons squid ink*

Combine all dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Whisk together the eggs, squid ink and olive oil. Using the paddle of a stand mixer, slowly incorporate the egg mixture with the dry ingredients at speed 2 for approximately 2 minutes. Change to a dough hook, and allow the machine to knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry to form a ball, add 1 tablespoon of cold water. If the dough is sticky, then add more flour. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and shape the dough into a ball on a lightly floured surface. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 25 minutes or up to 2 hours to relax dough.

Roll out and cut the pasta dough and cook according to the directions of the manufacturer of your pasta machine. Use a fettucine or spaghetti cut to make it look like hair.

* If you can't find it locally, squid ink can be purchased from suppliers on the internet.

Orange Pasta Dough

• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon annatto powder

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with the flat paddle. Mix at speed 2 for approximately 2 minutes. Change to a dough hook, and allow the machine to knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry to form a ball, add 1 tablespoon of cold water. If the dough is sticky, then add more flour. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and shape the dough into a ball on a lightly floured surface. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 25 minutes or up to 2 hours to relax dough.

Roll out and cut the pasta dough and cook according to the directions of the manufacturer of your pasta machine. Use a fettucine or spaghetti cut to make it look like hair.

To cook the fresh pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes until al-dente. Remember the fresh pasta cooks much quicker than dry pasta. Be careful not to overcook or it will become mushy.

Brown Butter Sage Sauce with Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberries

• 8 tablespoons butter
• 3 sage leaves, sliced thinly
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup pepito seeds (shelled pumpkin seeds)

Melt butter in a large sauté pan. Let the butter cook on a medium-high heat until lightly browned and it gives off a nutty aroma. Add sage leaves and stir to coat the leaves. Add the cranberries and continue stirring for 30 seconds, then add the pepito seeds. Toss and coat well and continue cooking for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately over pasta.

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