Traditional noodles with hand

Making manual noodles by hand can be a delightful culinary experience. Here's a basic recipe and instructions for making homemade noodles without a pasta machine:

**Ingredients:**
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
Water, as needed

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the dough.
On a clean surface or in a large mixing bowl, mound the flour and make a well in the center.
Crack the eggs into the well and add salt.
Using a fork or your fingers, gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs until a dough forms.
If the dough seems too dry, add water, a tablespoon at a time, until it comes together. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour.
Knead the dough for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can sprinkle a little flour on the surface to prevent sticking if needed.

2. **Rest the Dough:**
Once the dough is kneaded, wrap it in plastic wrap or cover it with a clean towel and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to work with.

3. Rolling and cutting:
After resting, divide the dough into smaller portions for easier handling.
Take one portion at a time and flatten it into a rectangular shape with a rolling pin or by hand until it's about 1/8 inch thick. Keep the remaining dough covered to prevent it from drying out.
Once rolled out, sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough to prevent it from sticking.
To cut the noodles, you can use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. You can make them as thin or as wide as you like. For traditional noodles, aim for around 1/4 inch in width.
As you cut the noodles, lightly dust them with flour and gently toss them to separate.

4. Cooking the noodles:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Once boiling, add the noodles and cook for about 2–4 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are tender but still slightly chewy (al dente).
Drain the noodles and rinse them briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Serve immediately with your favorite sauce or broth.

Making homemade noodles by hand requires a bit of time and effort, but the result is well worth it! Experiment with different flour types, flavorings, or shapes to create your own unique noodle creations. Enjoy your handmade noodles.
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