Mezzaluna Pasta Dish Food

MEZZELUNE PASTA WITH PEAS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Blanch spinach briefly, about 15 seconds, then plunge into an ice bath. Drain, squeeze dry, and chop finely.
• Put ricotta in a mixing bowl and add Parmesan, chopped spinach, lemon zest, nutmeg and mint. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Roll pasta dough into thin sheets. Using a sharp cookie cutter, punch out 3-inch rounds; you should have about 36 pieces. Dust lightly with semolina flour, then cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel to keep them from drying out. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle with semolina.
• Working in batches, fill 6 pasta rounds at a time: Lay pasta flat on a work surface and place about a tablespoon of filling in the center of each round. With a pastry brush or finger, moisten outer edge sparingly with water and fold over to make a half-moon, pressing to seal. Transfer to baking sheet. Continue until all rounds are filled. Dust tops lightly with semolina and store, uncovered in the refrigerator, until ready to cook.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil for pasta.
• Put a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and the shiitakes. Season with salt and sauté quickly until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove mushrooms from pan and set aside. Add 2 more tablespoons butter to pan. When it sizzles, add peas and scallions and a little salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water and cook uncovered for about 3 minutes. Return mushrooms to pan and turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta: Drop mezzelune in boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove with a spider or slotted spoon and transfer to a warm platter. Reheat peas and mushrooms and pour over the pasta. Garnish with chives.

CHICKEN MEZZALUNA, CARRABBA'S STYLE

Steps:

• Dough:.
• Beat eggs and water together. Add 2 C of flour and 1 ½ teaspoons salt; beat well. Gradually stir in about 1 ¾ C flour to make moderately stiff dough. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Divide into 2 parts. Cover and let rest 10 minute Roll each part of dough out into 16x12 in rectangle. Cut into 2 inch squares.
• Sauce:
• Make the alfredo sauce, in a large skillet, melt butter. Sauté chopped garlic over medium heat. Stir in 1 ½ C half and half. Cook over medium heat 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Add remaining half and half, Parmesan cheese, and pepper. Once made, add the spaghetti sauce and stir well. Then add the half and half and cheese. Stir until its a smooth sauce; should look pink-orange.
• Filling:
• Combine chicken, spinach and melted butter. Stir in cheeses and spices. Place 1 tbs. of filling on one 2 inches square of dough. Moisten edges of dough with water and top with second square; seal well with tines of fork. Repeat with remaining filling and dough. Set aside to dry. Cook ravioli in large pot of boiling water until they float on the surface. Rinse and drain.