Asparagus Ravioli In Parmesan Sauce Food

ASPARAGUS RAVIOLI IN PARMESAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Make broth and filling while dough stands:
• Cut off asparagus tips, then halve each tip lengthwise and reserve.
• Bring stock, cheese rind, and bay leaf to a simmer in a medium saucepan, then add asparagus stems and cook, uncovered, until stems are just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer stems to paper towels and cool slightly. Reserve broth.
• Purée asparagus stems in a food processor with grated parmesan, mascarpone, bread crumbs, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Make Ravioli:
• Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Cover 3 pieces with plastic wrap, then pat out remaining piece into a flat rectangle and generously dust with flour.
• Set rollers of pasta machine on widest setting. Feed rectangle, a short side first, through rollers. Fold rectangle in thirds, like a letter, and feed it, a short side first, through rollers. Repeat 6 or 7 more times, folding dough in thirds and feeding it through rollers, a short side first each time, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
• Turn dial to next (narrower) setting and feed dough through rollers without folding, a short side first. Continue to feed dough through without folding, making space between rollers narrower each time, until the second- or third-narrowest setting is used. (Do not roll too thin or pasta will tear when filled.)
• Put pasta sheet on a lightly floured kitchen towel (not terry cloth) with a long side nearest you. Drop 6 rounded teaspoon-size mounds of filling 10 inches apart in a row down center of right half of sheet. Brush pasta around mounds of filling lightly with water, then lift left half of sheet and drape over mounds.
• Press down firmly but gently around each mound, forcing out air. (Air pockets increase the chance that ravioli will break during cooking.) Cut pasta (between mounds) with a sharp knife into roughly 2-inch squares. Line a large shallow baking pan with a lightly floured kitchen towel (not terry cloth), then arrange ravioli in 1 layer in it. Make more ravioli with remaining pieces of dough and remaining filling, transferring to lined pan.
• Cook ravioli and Asparagus tips:
• Bring a pasta pot of salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a gentle boil.
• Bring reserved broth to a simmer, then simmer asparagus tips, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season broth with salt, then divide broth and asparagus tips among 6 shallow bowls, discarding cheese rind and bay leaf.
• Add half of ravioli to gently boiling water, carefully stirring to separate, and cook, adjusting heat to keep at a gentle boil, until pasta is just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Lift cooked ravioli with a slotted spoon, draining well over pot, then transfer to bowls with broth. Repeat with remaining ravioli.

WILD MUSHROOM AND FONDUTA RAVIOLI WITH ASPARAGUS, BUTTER AND PARMIGIANO

Steps:

• For the Fresh Pasta Dough: Place the flour on a work surface. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, olive oil and salt. Begin mixing the eggs with a fork, being careful to stay in the center. Add flour from the sides of the well little by little. When it becomes too stiff to mix with a fork, continue, incorporating flour by gently kneading the dough.
• When the dough has absorbed about as much flour as it's going to, move it to another area of the counter, scrape up the remaining flour and pass it through a sifter to remove any dried bits (you don't want these in your dough.)
• Then start kneading, keeping the table lightly dusted with flour. When it no longer sticks to the table, you're about finished. In the end, you want a smooth, firm but resilient, homogenous ball of dough, neither too dry nor too soft. Poke the dough and it should spring right back, press your fingers into the middle of the ball and it should feel just a bit tacky. If it is very sticky, you'll need to add more flour.
• Wrap the dough loosely in plastic and let it rest for at least 1 hour. This will make it easier to roll out.
• For the Mushroom Filling: Heat the oil in a frying pan add the mushrooms and saute. Add the garlic and deglaze with the white wine.
• When the wine has cooked away, add the mushroom stock and simmer until almost all the liquid has evaporated.
• Let the mushrooms cool then pulse in a food processor until coarsely chopped. In a mixing bowl, fold in the herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also stir in a drop of truffle oil if desired.
• For the Porcini Mushroom Stock: Place porcini in a saucepot and cover with water. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the mushroom steep for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Pass the stock through a strainer lined with a cheesecloth or a dampened paper towel to remove the mushrooms and any bits of sand.
• You should have 4 cups of flavorful, not overly concentrated, stock.
• For the Fonduta: Trim the red rind off the cheese and chop in a food processor. Put the cheese in a stainless steel mixing bowl, pour the milk over the cheese, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night. Fill a saucepan halfway with water and bring to boil. Place the mixing bowl over the pot to create a double boiler and allow the cheese to dissolve slowly into the milk, whisking occasionally.
• When the milk and cheese are completely amalgamated, stir in the flour. Whisk in the egg yolks one at a time. When all the eggs have been incorporated continue whisking over the heat until the mixture is thick and creamy and warm to the touch. Be careful not to let the fonduta get to hot or it will curdle.
• For the Ravioli: Using a pasta rolling machine or rolling pin, roll pasta out into a very thin sheet 6 to 8 inches wide. Spoon the mushroom filling on to half of the sheet in 2 rows of even rounds. Make a small indentation in the center of each mound and, with a pastry bag or small spoon, place a little of the fonduta into the center of each mound. Brush a little of the egg yolk around the mushroom filling then carefully lay the other half of the pasta sheet over the top. Gently press around the filling. Using a scalloped pastry wheel, cut the pasta in between the mounds to form individual ravioli. Keep the ravioli on a board or pan sprinkled with flour until ready to cook. (May be made and kept in refrigerator up to a day in advance). Bring a pot of salted water to a boil add the ravioli and cook 3 to 5 minutes; when the pasta rises to the surface they are done. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the asparagus, a pinch of salt. Add the ravioli, toss with the Parmigiano cheese and serve.

GARLIC RAVIOLI WITH PARSLEY GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place all the garlic cloves on a piece of aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap the garlic in foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the garlic from the oven, and when cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic from the skins.
• To make the ravioli, place the white wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, fennel, red onions, and carrots in a medium pan, add salt, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the artichokes, cover the pot, and simmer until the artichokes are tender.
• Once the artichokes are tender, remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool. Remove all of the vegetables and mix with the ricotta in a large bowl.
• Spread out the pasta sheets onto a working surface. Using a tablespoon, spoon the vegetable mixture onto the pasta leaving approximately 2-inches between each ravioli. Top the ravioli with another layer of pasta, and using a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out the shapes, and seal each ravioli.
• In a large pot with boiling water, cook the raviolis for approximately 6 minutes.
• To make the sauce, place the garlic and chicken stock in a pan and simmer until garlic is soft. Add the cream and reduce to a thick sauce consistency. Add the parsley to the sauce and place in a blender until sauce is smooth.
• In a hot skillet, sear each fillet for approximately 1 minute on each side. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place the raviolis on the center of the plate. Top the ravioli with the seared bass and drizzle the parsley garlic sauce around the plate.

FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the tough ends of the stalks from the asparagus. With a vegetable peeler, pare away any tough skin from the lower half of the stalks. Rinse the asparagus in cold water.
• Either cook the asparagus in a steamer or tie in a bundle standing in two inches of water. Cook, covered, until tender but firm. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, cut the stalks into three-quarter-inch pieces. Meanwhile, bring four quarts of water to boil for the fettuccine.
• Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the garlic and the shallots and saute for one minute. Add the prosciutto or shrimp and the cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for several minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Add the asparagus and keep warm until the fettuccine is cooked.
• Cook the fettuccine until al dente, drain, and transfer to a heated serving bowl. Add the sauce, toss, and serve. Pass the cheese separately.

RAVIOLI IN SPINACH ALFREDO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups of water to boil and add the spinach pouch. Bring back to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Then add the ravioli, return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the ravioli float. Pour contents of pot into a colander.
• Remove the spinach pouch from the colander and cut open. Pour spinach into a large skillet. Add alfredo sauce and mix gently to blend. Heat over medium heat 4-5 minutes until the mixture just begins to bubblee, stirring frequently.
• Add the cooked ravioli and stir to coat. Heat gently. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese.
• NOTE: To make your own Alfredo Sauce: Combine a stick of butter, about 1-2 cups Parmesan cheese and about 1/2 cup of cream or milk in a saucepan. Cook till the sauce thickens slightly. You can add a little garlic to this sauce, also.

RAVIOLI VEGETABLE LASAGNA - SPINACH, ARTICHOKE, ASPARAGUS - YUM!

Steps:

• NOTE - orginal recipe did not give ounce measurements for the spinach or the artichokes - I assume sizes may vary by brand. Orginal recipe just says 2 packages of frozen spinach - she used the small box size on tv. Original recipe stated 2 cans of artichokes. Zaar won't let you put in packages or cans without giving an ounces amount.
• Bring a pot of water to boil for ravioli.
• While water comes to a boil, drain defrosted frozen chopped spinach by wringing it dry in a kitchen towel, working over a garbage bowl or your sink.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and saute garlic in oil 1 minute, then sprinkle spinach into the garlic oil. Add artichoke heart pieces to the pan and turn to combine and heat through. Season vegetables with and remove from heat to a bowl. (NOTE -- I didn't not use the full amount of artichokes - since, I cut the recipe in half, I was only using one can of artichokes, but it seemed like a lot so I used about half the can. So use your own judgement when adding the artichokes.).
• Place skillet back on the heat and melt butter. Whisk flour into butter and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk stock into flour and butter and let it bubble. Whisk in cream and Parmesan. Season sauce with nutmeg, salt and pepper and thicken 1 to 2 minutes.
• When water boils, salt water, add ravioli and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Ravioli should be less than al dente, still a bit chewy -- it will continue cooking when combined with sauce and vegetables. Place a colander over ravioli as it cooks and add asparagus to it. Cut thin, trimmed asparagus into 2-inch pieces on an angle. Steam the chopped asparagus while pasta cooks, 2 to 3 minutes, until just fork-tender, but still green. Remove asparagus and add to bowl with spinach and artichokes. Place colander in your sink and drain ravioli.
• Drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil onto the bottom of a medium oval casserole or a rectangular baking dish and brush pan to coat evenly.
• Arrange a layer using 1/2 of cooked ravioli in the dish. Layer 1/2 of the cooked vegetables over the ravioli. Next, add a few ladles of sauce, then vegetables, then top casserole with the last of the ravioli. Dot top of "lasagna" with any remaining sauce and cover liberally with gratedprovolone or 4 cheese blend.
• Brown cheese 8 inches from broiler, 5 minutes. NOTE - this is the part of the recipe that didn't work for me. By the time I assembled the ingredients, they were cold so I ended up having to bake the dish in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or so.
• This was supposed to be a 30 minute meal, but I think it took longer. Maybe after I've made it a few times, it would only take 30 -- either way it was still an easy recipe to make.
• I think this could be easily made ahead and reheated or frozen. I haven't tried freezing it yet, but it is yummy the next day.

PARMESAN ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain., Arrange asparagus in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and pepper. Bake, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

ASPARAGUS AND RAVIOLI WITH DIJON ALFREDO SAUCE

Steps:

• COOK ravioli in a large saucepan according to package directions; drain and keep warm.
• SNAP off tough ends of asparagus; cut asparagus into 2-inch-long pieces.
• MELT 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add asparagus, and saute 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Spoon over ravioli.
• MELT remaining 7 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat; add garlic, and saute 1 minute. Whisk in mustard. Gradually whisk in whipping cream until smooth.
• BRING whipping cream mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Pour over asparagus and ravioli, and toss. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS AND RAVIOLI WITH DIJON ALFREDO SAUCE

Steps:

• COOK ravioli in a large saucepan according to package directions; drain and keep warm.
• SNAP off tough ends of asparagus; cut asparagus into 2-inch-long pieces.
• MELT 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add asparagus, and saute 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Spoon over ravioli.
• MELT remaining 7 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat; add garlic, and saute 1 minute. Whisk in mustard. Gradually whisk in whipping cream until smooth.
• BRING whipping cream mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Pour over asparagus and ravioli, and toss. Serve immediately.