Tastes like chicken

Last year  I asked my husband if he could throw together some type of pen so I could have a couple of chickens. My husband is a contractor, we've got loads of wood lying around, so I thought it would be easy as pie.  I forget my husband doesn't do anything simple. 

But I did get my coop.

Yes, I know... it looks like Fort Knox.  Lucky for the chickens, since we've got coyotes, foxes, racoons, possums, and other assorted uninvited wildlife living on our property, all of which would love a nice chicken dinner, or at least a few eggs for breakfast.

That fancy looking half moon window was my contribution.  I went to our local Restore in search of a cheap window and scored that one for $6.  Believe it or not it was the cheapest window they had.

My daughter the budding artist designed the interior.

I kinda think it looks like bloody handprints, but hey, the chickens didn't complain.

Very handy feature so I can collect eggs without dodging chicken poop.

And of course, a few chickens.

Homemade pasta

I made homemade pasta for dinner tonight.  It's so fun and easy to make, and makes you feel quite talented.  I have to admit, I pull out my cookbooks constantly, even for things I make all the time. I have a horrible memory, and I just know I'll forget something if I don't follow the recipe.  So.... here's the recipe for homemade pasta.  Are you ready? Take notes!  Ready? ............

1 egg, cup of flour and a pinch of salt.  Yep, that's it.  Double, triple or quadruple as needed.  No cookbook needed.  Some folks talk about making a well in the flour, massaging the egg in, blah blah, blah.... me - I just through it all in my handy dandy Kitchenaid. I love my Kitchenaid ;-)

Let it mix until it looks like dough, then let it rest for 30 minutes or so. 

My mom bought me the pasta rollers for my Kitchenaid a couple of years ago.  They looked a little intimidating at first, but they make it so fun and easy.  Once the pasta has rested, cut it into golfball sized chunks and feed it through the roller a couple of times.  This is the fun part - savor the moment! Feel your chefness kicking in!

After you have nice flat sheets, switch roller attachments and feed it into the fettucini or angel hair attachment to cut it into strips. 

Note:  I've read that it's pretty easy to roll your dough out, fold it up and cut your strips by hand.  I know there are also some nice countertop pasta machines that you can use to make your dough. 

You should end up with this:

That was a double recipe of 2 eggs and 2 cups of flour.  Have a pot of boiling, salted water ready, and be ready to stand by because it only cooks for 3 minutes, 4 minutes tops.  Any more than that and you're rapidly moving towards mush. 

It has such a nice, fresh taste to it that I rarely do a fancy sauce to go with it.  Tonight I just tossed it with shrimp, peas and parmesean cheese. 

Bon appetit!



About me and mine

Hi! My name is Becky and I am currently living the dream in south Louisiana.  My husband and I purchased a house with 21 acres 5 years ago, and, with the help of our 2 youngest children, are slowly turning it into a farm.

Meet Abby, also known as the lover of anything bird-related. 

Any Taylor, who constantly reminds Abby that he will always be 13 months older than her.

We love animals, and currently have horses, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, a cat, a chinchilla and turtles.