Ravioli.

RAVIOLI

Ravioli is a type of filled pasta composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough. This entree' takes a lot of time and efforts but the taste pays off well. It is quite filling and just a pair of ravioli can fill one hungry soul.

Ingredients :

For dough

1 cup all Purpose flour , Salt to taste , Oil

For Puree filling

2 cup blanched spinach , Salt to taste , Cheddar cheese ( Any quick melting pasta cheese) , Salt , Pepper , 1 clove of garlic , 1/2 tspn all purpose flour

For Sauce

Finely chopped onions 1/2 Cup , Finely chopped tomatoes 1.5 Cup , 1 Tbspn Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) or any other oil , Salt to taste , 1/2 tspn Crushed Black pepper

Procedure :

Dough

Knead a dough with flour , water , salt , oil . Keep it covered till other ingredients are ready.

Puree Filling

Blend the blanched spinach in minimal water so as to make a thick puree. Heat oil in a pan , Add 1/2 tspn all purpose flour and saute till it looses it raw flavor. Add the puree , Salt , crushed black pepper , cheese and let it simmer till it gets a paste like consistency .

Turn off the heat and let cool till the spinach paste reaches room temperature. Roll out small balls of the dough previously made in pairs. Place one on a flat surface . Carefully place one tbspn spinach paste on top.

Cover it with another rolled out ball of dough . Press the loose ends carefully . Use a fork to press down the end. This ensures that the ends are locked in. This is a Ravioli.

Boil water in a Pasta Pot with a tablespoon full of oil . Drop the ravioli(s) in the pot and let it cook on high heat for about 8-10 minutes.

Sauce :

To make the sauce , heat oil in a pan and saute finely chopped onion and tomatoes till they cook well. Add salt and crushed black pepper . Add 1/4th cup water and let boil.

Turn off the heat.

To serve Ravioli : Place the ravioli in a baking pan . Slather the Sauce on top. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese . Top it all with Mushroom (optional).

Bake them at 350 degree for about 10 minutes. Ravioli is ready to serve.

Variation : The filling may be meat-based (either red or poultry), fish-based, or cheese-based. Ravioli can be rectangular, triangular, half-moon or circular in shape. Other traditional Italian filings may include a puree made of potatoes, mushrooms, pumpkin or artichokes.