Ravioli With Ricotta And Asparagus Food

RICOTTA RAVIOLO WITH GARLICKY GREENS

Steps:

• Ravioli: Stir together both cheeses, oil, and lemon zest in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• On a floured work surface, roll out one square of the rested pasta dough to an approximately 16-inch square. Using a ruler and bench scraper or knife, lightly score a 12-inch square in center of dough, then score that 12-inch square at 4-inch intervals in both directions, to form a 3-by-3 grid of nine 4-inch squares. (Do not cut dough all the way through.)
• Spoon a scant 1/4 cup ricotta mixture evenly into center of each square. Using back of spoon, create a small well in the center of each mound. Gently drop an egg yolk into each well.
• Roll out remaining piece of dough to an approximately 16-inch square. On filled dough square, lightly brush water around cheese. Loosely drape second dough square over first. Working from the center outward, gently press any air pockets out from between doughs and press together around fillings.
• Using a fluted pastry wheel, pizza wheel, or knife, cut out ravioli. Transfer to a rimmed sheet dusted with flour (preferably semolina).
• Garlicky Greens: Whisk together lemon juice and mustard to combine, then slowly whisk in 1/3 cup oil to make a dressing; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• In a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta with 1 tablespoon oil until browned and fat renders, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Return skillet to medium heat, add garlic, and cook until fragrant and sizzling, 15 seconds. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, then kale and dandelion greens, a handful at a time; season with salt and pepper and cook until wilted. Cover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until greens darken and become tender, 8 to 10 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, cook ravioli in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water; drain.
• Add reserved pasta water to greens in skillet and cook, uncovered, until water has mostly evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir half of reserved lemon dressing into greens.
• Serve each raviolo over a bed of greens, drizzled with remaining lemon dressing and sprinkled with pancetta, Pecorino, and pepper.

RAVIOLI WITH LEMON, PEAS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, cook the pancetta in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and wipe out the skillet.
• Add the ravioli to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain gently.
• Combine the butter and lemon zest and juice in the reserved skillet over medium heat. Add the peas, ravioli and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; toss to coat. Stir in the pecorino and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Add more cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to loosen.
• Divide the ravioli, peas and any sauce among shallow bowls. Sprinkle with more pecorino. Crumble the pancetta and scatter over the ravioli. Top with basil.

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.

RAVIOLI WITH RICOTTA AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• 1. Blanche and chill asparagus if using fresh. Skip if using frozen. Cut into 1 inch pieces. Dry with paper towels. Save 1/4 cup for garnish.
• 2. In a bowl mix the asparagus, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and set aside.
• 3. Place a scant tablespoon of ricotta mixture on center of half of the wonton wrappers. Run a wet pastry brush around the edge and place a second wrapper on top and press with your fingers to seal.
• 4. In a large saute pan, heat butter over high heat until the foam subsides. Add reserved asparagus and remove from heat. Cook ravioli in boiling water until they are tender and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
• 5. Drain ravioli reserving 3 tablespoons pasta water and add them to the pan with butter. Add 3 tablespoons pasta water and toss gently over high heat for 1 minutes.
• 6. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly between 8 pasta bowls and serve immediately with Parmigiano-Reggiano grated over the top.

PROSCIUTTO RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Whisk the ricotta, spinach, prosciutto, egg yolks, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the ricotta filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Brush the edge of the wrapper lightly with water. Fold the wrapper in half, enclosing the filling completely and forming a triangle. Pinch the edges to seal. Transfer the ravioli to baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining filling and wrappers. (Can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
• Melt the butter in a heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add the oregano and stir 1 minute. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Working in batches, cook the ravioli in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer the ravioli to a large shallow bowl.
• Pour the oregano butter over the ravioli and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle the pecorino over the ravioli and serve.

RAVIOLI DI RICOTTA E ASPARAGI CON SALSA DI PISELLI

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients to boil in small saucepan. Cook uncovered until peas are just tender, about 3 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer mixture to blender; puree until smooth (sauce will be thin). Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before using.
• Cut top 3 inches off asparagus; cut into 1/2-inch lengths. Cook in saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain; place in bowl of ice water. Drain; pat dry. Mix cheese and mint in medium bowl. Stir in asparagus. Season with salt and pepper; mix in egg.
• Place flour in processor. Add eggs. Using on/off turns, blend until clumps of moist dough form (do not process into ball). Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface; shape into ball. Knead until smooth, sprinkling lightly with flour if sticking, about 3 minutes. Wrap in plastic. Let rest at room temperature at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Cut dough into 8 equal pieces. Cover with plastic wrap. Set pasta machine to widest setting. Flatten 1 dough piece into rectangle; run through machine. Fold in half crosswise (end to end) and run through again. Continue, adjusting machine to narrower settings after every 2 passes and dusting with flour as needed to keep from sticking, until pasta sheet is 22 inches long (scant 1/16 inch thick). Place sheet on lightly floured work surface; cover with plastic. Repeat with remaining pasta pieces.
• Starting 1 inch from 1 short side of 1 pasta sheet, drop ricotta filling by rounded teaspoonfuls down center of sheet, spacing mounds 2 inches apart. Brush pasta edges and between mounds of filling lightly with water. Cover with second pasta sheet, pressing down around filling to eliminate air pockets and to seal. Using fluted pastry wheel, cut pasta between filling, trimming sides to form 2- to 2 1/4-inch ravioli. Repeat with more pasta and remaining filling, making about 36. (Reserve remaining pasta for another use, cutting into shapes and drying on floured work surface.) Place ravioli on floured baking sheet; let dry 30 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill.
• Working in 2 batches, cook ravioli in very large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring gently, about 3 minutes. Drain ravioli. Divide hot pea sauce among 6 plates. Top with ravioli. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

RAVIOLI DI RICOTTA E ASPARAGI CON SALSA DI PISELLI

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients to boil in small saucepan. Cook uncovered until peas are just tender, about 3 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer mixture to blender; puree until smooth (sauce will be thin). Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before using.)
• Cut top 3 inches off asparagus; cut into 1/2-inch lengths. Cook in saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain; place in bowl of ice water. Drain; pat dry. Mix cheese and mint in medium bowl. Stir in asparagus. Season with salt and pepper; mix in egg.
• Follow directions for making and rolling Fresh Egg Pasta dough into sheets. Starting 1 inch from 1 short side of 1 pasta sheet, drop ricotta filling by rounded teaspoonfuls down center of sheet, spacing mounds 2 inches apart. Brush pasta edges and between mounds of filling lightly with water. Cover with second pasta sheet, pressing down around filling to eliminate air pockets and to seal. Using fluted pastry wheel, cut pasta between filling, trimming sides to form 2- to 2 1/4-inch ravioli. Repeat with more pasta and remaining filling, making about 36. (Reserve remaining pasta for another use, cutting into shapes and drying on floured work surface.) Place ravioli on floured baking sheet; let dry 30 minutes. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Working in 2 batches, cook ravioliin very large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring gently, about 3 minutes. Drain ravioli. Divide hot pea sauce among 6 plates. Top with ravioli. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

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.

SIMPLE RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Following the master method, page 189, roll dough strips for filling.
• For each raviolo, scoop a scant tablespoon of ricotta, shape it round, and drop in place. Press a shallow well in the soft top of the round and fill with drops of olive oil-barely 1/4 teaspoon on each portion.
• Press two or three cubes of mozzarella into the ricotta round, covering the oil. Sprinkle a good pinch of sea salt on and around the ricotta; do the same with a pinch of white pepper. Cover and cut ravioli as detailed in the master method below.
• Cook and sauce ravioli as on page 192. Remove pan from heat, sprinkle over them the freshly grated cheese, and serve.
• Use the formula and procedure for Simple Ricotta Ravioli, but replace half the ricotta (about 6 ounces) with an equal amount of fresh, creamy goat cheese.
• I recommend the same tomato sauces or "cacio e pepe" sauce (see facing page).
• Tomato sauces, the fresher the better: Slow-Cooked Summer Tomato Sauce (page 256), Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil (page 130), or the Two-Minute Fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce (page 183), even frozen Simple Tomato Sauce (page 132), with shredded fresh basil.

RAVIOLI STUFFED WITH RICOTTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Spoon the ricotta into a large fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with a double thickness of cheesecloth or a basket-type coffee filter. Set the sieve over a bowl and cover the ricotta well with plastic wrap. Let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator at least overnight or up to 24 hours. Discard the liquid in the bottom of the bowl.
• In a wide braising pan or deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and scallions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped spinach and increase the heat to medium. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set in a strainer and cool completely.
• Stir the fresh ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, and sautéed greens together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the egg. Chill thoroughly.
• While the filling is chilling, make the pasta dough and let rest.
• Form and cut the ravioli according to directions on page 190. The ravioli should be cooked immediately or refrigerated up to 4 hours. (The ravioli may also be frozen: Place the sheets of ravioli onto a freezer shelf and freeze until solid to the touch. Carefully transfer the ravioli to resealable plastic bags or airtight plastic containers.)
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat. Slip the ravioli into the water a few at a time, stirring gently as you do. Cook until the edges of the pasta are tender but still firm to the bite and they rise to the surface, about 6 minutes after the water returns to a boil.
• While the ravioli are cooking, divide the tomato sauce, olive oil, and basil between two large skillets and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Fish out the ravioli with a wire skimmer or large flat slotted spoon, drain them well over the pasta pot, and slide them into the pans of sauce, dividing them evenly. Simmer, stirring gently with a spoon until the sauce is lightly reduced and the ravioli are coated. Remove the pans from the heat, check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary. Spoon the ravioli into warm bowls or onto a warm platter, sprinkle with the grated cheese, and serve immediately.
• Variation: Butter-Sage Sauce (Conditi all Burro e Salvia)
• Melt one stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter in a large skillet over low heat. (The heat should be low enough to melt the butter slowly, without its separating or turning clear.) Add eight to ten whole sage leaves and remove the skillet from the heat. Ladle out about 1 cup of the ravioli-cooking water before you drain them. Either fish the ravioli out of the pot with a large wire skimmer or drain them gently. Add the ravioli to the skillet. Pour in enough of the cooking liquid to make a sufficient amount of creamy sauce to coat the ravioli generously. Bring to a quick boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

RAVIOLI LASAGNA WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine spaghetti sauce and water in a large skillet. Bring to a boil.
• Stir in ravioli. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Combine beaten egg with ricotta and parmesan cheeses. Spoon on top of ravioli.
• Cover and cook on low for about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add grated cheddar and cover until cheese is melted.