Ragusa Style Ricotta Ravioli Food

RICOTTA AND WALNUT RAVIOLI WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• 1. Blend the flour, egg yolks, oil, 5 tablespoons water, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until a dough forms. Let the dough rest, wrapped in plastic, for 1 hour. Cut the dough into quarters and dust with flour. Roll the dough using a pasta maker on the widest setting 8 times, folding dough each time and flouring in between. Continue rolling the pasta on the narrower settings, without folding, until the second narrowest setting. Place the dough on a floured counter covered with a towel. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• 2. Pulse 1/2 cup walnuts, the ricotta, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a clean food processor. Place 1 teaspoon of filling 1 1/2 inches apart along 2 pasta sheets. Brush the edges and between the mounds with water, and then top with another pasta sheet, pressing around the filling to seal. Cut out square ravioli, about 30, with a sharp knife and transfer to a floured towel.
• 3. Heat the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until the butter begins to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the garlic, lemon juice, the remaining 1 cup walnuts, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Reserve the sauce.
• 4. Boil the ravioli in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 3 minutes. Gently transfer the ravioli with a slotted spoon to a bowl with the sauce, arugula, and Parmesan. Toss to combine, then divide among warmed serving plates.

RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH SPINACH PESTO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, 1/4 cup hazelnuts, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay several wonton wrappers on a work surface. Scoop a generous tablespoon of the ricotta filling into the center of each wrapper, and brush outside edges with egg white. Lay another wonton wrapper on top of each, and press firmly with fingertips to press out air and seal ravioli. Transfer ravioli to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling, making 18 to 20 ravioli total. Cover baking sheet with a damp paper towel and transfer to refrigerator to set up, about 30 minutes.
• To make the spinach pesto:
• In a food processor, combine remaining 3/4 cup hazelnuts, lemon juice, spinach, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste and puree until smooth.
• Fill a large pot with water, salt liberally, and bring to a boil. Cook ravioli in three batches, until they are cooked and float to the top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Strain and transfer to serving bowls with a dollop of spinach pesto.

HOMEMADE RAVIOLI WITH RICOTTA CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• In an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix. Continue mixing and add all the flour and water; continue mixing until it forms a ball. Sprinkle some flour on work surface, and knead the dough until elastic and smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
• Cut the ball of dough in half, cover and reserve the dough you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle and roll it through the pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at its widest setting. Guide the sheet of dough with the palm of your hand as it emerges from the rollers. Reduce the setting and crank the dough through again, 2 or 3 times. Continue until the machine is at its narrowest setting. The dough should be paper-thin, about 1/8-inch thick.
• Dust the counter and dough with flour, and lay out the long sheet of pasta. Brush the top surface of dough with egg wash. Drop 1 tablespoon of cooled filling about 2 inches apart on half the sheet of pasta. Fold the unfilled half over the filling. With an espresso cup or finger, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling and form a seal. Use a crimper to cut each pillow into squares. Check to make sure the crimped edges are well sealed before cooking. If making ravioli in advance, dust with cornmeal to prevent them from sticking.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Lift the ravioli from water with a large strainer or slotted spoon. Plate the pasta, top with your favorite pasta sauce and grated cheese before serving.
• In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator a few minutes to firm up the filling.

RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH PROSCIUTTO, ROASTED PEPPERS, PEA SHOOTS AND TOMATO CREAM

Steps:

• For the pasta: Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and add egg yolks and olive oil. Mix until the dough comes together into a ball. (If the dough seems too dry, add a few tablespoons of water).
• Knead dough on a floured surface for 2 to 3 minutes, dough should seem smooth and elastic. Let dough rest in refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Make the filling by combining the ricotta, egg, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Using a pasta machine, roll out the pasta dough to the last setting. Cut the dough into sheets approximately 18-inches long. Place 1 sheet of pasta on a floured work surface and brush with the egg wash. Place tablespoon size dots of ricotta mixture 2-inches apart on the sheet of pasta. Place a second sheet of dough over the first and press down to seal around the filling and remove any air bubbles. Using a floured 3-inch round cutter, cut out the ravioli and place them on a well-floured sheet tray. Crimp the edges with a fork.
• For the sauce: Poach garlic cloves in the cream until tender. Add the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes. Puree in a blender, strain and set aside. In a large saute pan, heat prosciutto and roasted peppers in the olive oil. Add the pea shoots and cook briefly, until they are just beginning to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Add the freshly poached ravioli, 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and toss to combine.
• When the sauce is ready, poach the ravioli in simmering, salted water for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and immediately add to the sauce.
• To serve, ladle a small pool of sauce on the bottom of a large plate or wide-bottomed bowl. Arrange 3 ravioli on the sauce and spoon the prosciutto and vegetables over the top. Garnish with shaved Parmesan or herbs and serve immediately.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt on a flat work surface; shape into a mound and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the well and lightly beat with a fork. Gradually draw in the flour from the inside wall of the well in a circular motion. Continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes.
• While the pasta is resting, prepare the filling. Steam the spinach and drain well, pressing the spinach to remove all excess liquid. Chop finely. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots and cook for about a minute, stirring so that they do not brown. Add the shallots to the spinach, along with the ricotta, Parmesan cheese and egg. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper as needed.
• Cut the ball of dough in 1/2, cover and reserve the piece you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with a little flour. Press the dough into a rectangle and roll it through a pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at widest setting. Pull and stretch the sheet of dough with the palm of your hand as it emerges from the rollers. Reduce the setting and crank the dough through again, 2 or 3 times. Continue tightening until the machine is at the second narrowest setting; the dough should be almost paper-thin.
• Dust the counter and sheet of dough with flour, lay out the long sheet of pasta, and brush the top surface with a little water, which acts as a glue. Drop 1 tablespoon of the filling on 1/2 of the pasta sheet, about 2-inches apart. Fold the other 1/2 over the filling like a blanket. With your fingers, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling. Use a sharp knife to cut each pillow into squares and crimp the 4 edges with the tins of a fork to make a tight seal. A fluted pastry wheel also works well to make an attractive edge around the pasta. Dust the ravioli and a sheet pan with cornmeal to prevent the pasta from sticking and lay them out to dry slightly while assembling the rest. If not using within an hour or two refrigerate until needed.
• To prepare the sauce, heat the two tablespoons of oil in a heavy pot and cook the garlic for just a minute. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Add the chopped basil, and mix well. Cook over low heat an additional 10 minutes. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water until tender. They will float to the top when ready, so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Drain the ravioli and return to the pot. Pour half of the sauce mixture into the pot and carefully stir until the ravioli is lightly coated. Serve the ravioli with a spoonful of additional sauce and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Serve hot.