Ravioli con Ricotta e Spinaci
Ravioli with Spinach and Ricotta Cheese
Ravioli with Spinach and Ricotta Cheese
serves 6
for the filling
1 lb (450 g) fresh spinach
1 lb (450 g) ricotta cheese, thoroughly drained
1 egg
4 oz (115 g) parmigiano reggiano cheese, freshly grated
salt and pepper
pinch of nutmeg
for the dough
3 cups (400 gr) flour
4 eggs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
for the dressing
4 oz (100 g) unsalted butter
10 fresh sage leaves
4 oz (100 g) freshly grated parmigiano cheese
for the filling
1 lb (450 g) fresh spinach
1 lb (450 g) ricotta cheese, thoroughly drained
1 egg
4 oz (115 g) parmigiano reggiano cheese, freshly grated
salt and pepper
pinch of nutmeg
for the dough
3 cups (400 gr) flour
4 eggs
1 tablespoon extra-
for the dressing
4 oz (100 g) unsalted butter
10 fresh sage leaves
4 oz (100 g) freshly grated parmigiano cheese
Boil the spinach in lightly salted water. Place the boiled spinach in a cheese cloth and form a small sack. Squeeze the sack to expel as much water as possible. Chop the spinach finely.
Place the spinach in a bowl. Combine the drained ricotta, egg, parmigiano cheese, salt, pepper, and a generous pinch of nutmeg. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and nutmeg if necessary.
Prepare the pasta dough using the recipe for fresh pasta. Make the dough very soft and moist. Use the minimum flour necessary, just enough to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands while working. Cut the dough in two parts. Place one of the pieces on the work surface, and flatten it with a rolling pin until it is very thin. Repeat the same steps with the other half of the dough, making a pasta sheet of the same size. Set it aside, covered with a moist towel if necessary to prevent the pasta from drying too much.
Place about 1 teaspoon of the filling on the dough, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
Cover with the second dough and press the pasta around the fillings so that the 2 layers touch each other. Press firmly to bond the 2 pasta sheets together.
Cook until the pasta is al dente (firm but not too soft or overcooked). Drain the ravioli, picking them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon.
Transfer the ravioli to the pan. Stir gently until they are evenly coated with the butter. Combine the grated cheese. Place in a warm serving dish and serve at once.
TIPS
* Drain the filling ingredients very well to prevent the ravioli from breaking while boiling.
* If you would like the stuffing to be aromatic, add more freshly grated nutmeg.
* Sometimes the dough will dry too much while you are working, which prevents the pasta sheets from being “gluey” enough to stick to each other. If this happens, brush the surface of the bottom pasta sheet with egg whites. To prevent the pasta sheets from drying too much, cover them with plastic wrap.
Place the spinach in a bowl. Combine the drained ricotta, egg, parmigiano cheese, salt, pepper, and a generous pinch of nutmeg. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and nutmeg if necessary.
Prepare the pasta dough using the recipe for fresh pasta. Make the dough very soft and moist. Use the minimum flour necessary, just enough to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands while working. Cut the dough in two parts. Place one of the pieces on the work surface, and flatten it with a rolling pin until it is very thin. Repeat the same steps with the other half of the dough, making a pasta sheet of the same size. Set it aside, covered with a moist towel if necessary to prevent the pasta from drying too much.
Place about 1 teaspoon of the filling on the dough, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
Cover with the second dough and press the pasta around the fillings so that the 2 layers touch each other. Press firmly to bond the 2 pasta sheets together.
Cook until the pasta is al dente (firm but not too soft or overcooked). Drain the ravioli, picking them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon.
Transfer the ravioli to the pan. Stir gently until they are evenly coated with the butter. Combine the grated cheese. Place in a warm serving dish and serve at once.
TIPS
* Drain the filling ingredients very well to prevent the ravioli from breaking while boiling.
* If you would like the stuffing to be aromatic, add more freshly grated nutmeg.
* Sometimes the dough will dry too much while you are working, which prevents the pasta sheets from being “gluey” enough to stick to each other. If this happens, brush the surface of the bottom pasta sheet with egg whites. To prevent the pasta sheets from drying too much, cover them with plastic wrap.