Balsamic Marinated Radicchio With Fresh Ricotta Food

BALSAMIC-MARINATED RADICCHIO WITH FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Whisk together vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, 1/2 cup oil, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
• Put radicchio in a 4-sided sheet pan and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat, turning occasionally, until slightly wilted, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add hot radicchio to balsamic marinade and gently toss to coat. Cover bowl (to keep heat in) and marinate, tossing once or twice, at least 1 hour.
• Transfer radicchio to a serving dish, pouring some of marinade over top. Scatter basil over radicchio. Drizzle ricotta with oil in a small bowl and serve with radicchio.
• What to drink:
• Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano '07

BALSAMIC STEAK WITH RADICCHIO

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steaks with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon butter, swirling the pan to coat. Add the steaks, sprinkle them with a pinch of sugar, and sear until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook until golden on the other side, 2 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Add the garlic and cook 20 seconds. Add the radicchio in batches, tossing until wilted. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar and cook until the vinegar evaporates slightly, about 1 minute. Add the broth and cook until the radicchio is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the basil. Transfer the radicchio to plates using tongs. Continue cooking the sauce until it thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Thinly slice the steak and add to the plates. Drizzle with the sauce and top with more sun-dried tomatoes and basil.

RADICCHIO, WALNUTS & RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• add the flour to the mixer bowl.
• start at low speed with a dough attachment.
• slowly incorporate the lightly beaten eggs.
• slowly incorporate the salt and the oil.
• mix on low speed for 8-10 minutes.
• remove from the mixer and rest on a dusted working surface.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30-60 minutes to give the gluten the opportunity to relax. You can optionally divide it in five parts and wrap them individually to make the next step easier.
• put a tablespoon of EVOO and the garlic on a large saute pan on very low heat.
• cut the radicchio in small pieces, rinse and dry.
• add the radicchio to the pan and mix well with the oil.
• add the red wine - with or without alcohol.
• set on medium fire and cook with a lid, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
• make sure the liquid does not evaporate completely, have some more wine ready if needed. Substitute with small quantities of water if preferred.
• Walnuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, checking often or cook in a skillet at medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Beat the walnuts down to half pea size.
• Remove the extra cooking liquid from the radicchio (if any), remove the garlic and process in a blender or - better - with an immersion blender for more accurate texture.
• add the walnuts and process a bit more: the mix needs to retain texture but it also needs to be easily shaped.
• add salt and pepper to taste, mix well and incorporate the ricotta with a spoon.
• set aside, cover and refrigerate.
• flatten the dough on a lightly floured working surface with the help of a rolling pin, fold 1/3 of the sheet on itself from each side.
• repeat 3-4 times.
• keeping the working surface dusted, make it paper thin and cut out (with a pizza cutter) rectangles that can barely cover the moulds.
• work more on each individual sheet so it will fit loosely on the mould.
• generously dust the side of the sheet that will be touching the mould.
• cover with the first sheet.
• gently press the dough inside each part of the mould.
• you can now add the filling! the quantity obviously depends on what kind are you using: no matter what, too much filling is a bad idea. make it so it can be easily pressed and become flat.
• add a second sheet of dough to cover, gently press with your hands to make a flat surface.
• gently pass a rolling pin on top, increasing the the pressure when you see it's adequate to seal the ravioli.
• flip to release from the mould and voilá! depending on the thickness of the dough, all the ravioli may result already separated or they may need to be cut.
• Boil the ravioli in salted water for 2-3 minutes, drain well and season with some oil and grated Parmiggiano cheese -- It was all worth the ride, enjoy.