Parmesan Tortellini In A Bourbon Spiked Squash Sauce Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TORTELLINI WITH BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the tortellini, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven until soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Cook the shallots and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
• In a food processor, combine the butternut squash mixture, the shallot mixture, and the ricotta cheese and pulse a few times to blend. Add the crushed amaretti cookies, the nutmeg, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse until smooth. The tortellini filling can be made one day ahead.
• To make the tortellini, lay out 6 wonton skins, keeping the remaining skins inside the package or under a very lightly dampened paper towel. Place 1 tablespoon of squash mixture in the middle of each skin. Dip a pastry brush in a little water and wet the edges of the skin. Gently fold the square wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside. Dampen the two bottom corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure. Place the formed tortellini on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Before laying out another 6 wonton sheets, be careful to dry the work surface. This will help keep tortellini from sticking to the baking sheet. Continue until all the butternut squash mixture is used. There should be approximately 36 tortellini. (The tortellini can be formed, frozen on the baking sheet, transferred to a tightly sealed plastic bag or container and stored for up to six months. To cook, simply toss the frozen ravioli into the salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.)
• To make the sauce and serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sage, walnuts and cranberries and let cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and season with salt, and pepper.
• Stir to combine. Then, gently place the tortellini in the boiling water and gently stir. When they begin to float they are done, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently spoon the tortellini onto a serving platter, Top with the brown butter sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 450˚ F. Toss the squash, mushrooms, olive oil and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread out on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once or twice, until the vegetables are browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Combine the heavy cream, garlic, sage and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by about one-third, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice; add more lemon juice to taste.
• Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain (reserve the pot).
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the reserved pot. Add the tortellini and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss over medium heat until coated, adding a few more tablespoons cooking water as needed to loosen.
• Divide the roasted vegetables among shallow bowls. Spoon the tortellini and sauce on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chives.

TORTELLINI WITH SPINACH-RICOTTA FILLING AND PARMESAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the butter and garlic a large saute pan over medium-high heat. When the garlic is lightly browned, about 1 minute, stir in the spinach, season with salt and pepper and continue cooking until wilted. Transfer the cooked spinach to a colander to drain and cool, about 15 minutes. When cooled, gently squeeze the spinach dry, chop it and put in a medium bowl. Fold in the ricotta. Season well with salt and pepper.
• Roll out the pasta: Divide the pasta dough in half, working with one half at a time and keeping the other piece wrapped. Set up a pasta roller attachment on a stand mixer (or secure a hand roller to the side of your work surface). Lightly flour a work surface and roll out your dough until it is thin enough to pass through the pasta roller. Set your roller to the widest setting. Turn on the pasta roller and pass the dough through once. Fold the rolled-out piece of dough over itself, and then pass through the roller again. If the edges begin to fray or the dough gets sticky or damp, lightly dust both sides with flour. Repeat six or seven more times, until the dough is smooth. Adjust the roller to the second widest setting, dust both sides of the dough with flour, and pass it through twice (without folding). Repeat, adjusting to a thinner setting each time and passing through twice, until the dough is thin enough that it is slightly translucent.
• Fill the tortellini: Dust a work surface and rimmed baking sheet with semolina flour. Lay out the sheet of fresh pasta on the prepared surface and trim into 3 pieces. Cut the pasta sheets into 2-to 3-inch rounds (for tortellini) or squares (for cappelletti). Lightly dampen the pasta with a mister or brush and spoon a teaspoon-sized mound of filling in the center of each piece of pasta. Fold it in half to create a triangle (for square pasta) or a half-moon (for round pasta). Press firmly to seal the edges and eliminate any air. Grab the folded corners of the pasta and place a finger at the center of the folded side of the pasta. Pull the edges around your finger and press the ends together to seal, creating a little pasta "ring" around your finger. Remove your finger and transfer the finished stuffed pasta to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pieces.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil while you prepare the sauce.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then turn off the stove while you cook the pasta
• Drop the tortellini into the boiling water and stir immediately. Leave the tortellini to cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the cooked pasta to the melted butter along with 1/2 cup pasta water. Stir to combine and simmer over medium heat for 1 minute, then add the Parmesan. Add some basil and toss to combine. Serve with additional grated Parmesan, if desired.
• Mound the flour in the center of a clean countertop or cutting board. Make a well in the center of the flour 3 to 4 inches wide.
• Crack the eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt. Using a fork, break the yolks and begin to beat the eggs as you would if making scrambled eggs.
• Continue stirring the eggs with a fork in large circles, slowly incorporating the flour. When the eggs form a thick mass and become difficult to stir, about 3 minutes, fold the loose flour from the edges into the pile with a bench scraper and knead until a smooth dough forms. Discard any excess flour.
• Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and set aside to rest for 20 minutes before rolling. If waiting more than 1 hour, refrigerate or freeze the dough. The dough will keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

TORTELLINI WITH PARMESAN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook tortellini according to box directions. While it cooks, be sure to assemble all the other ingredients to be at your fingertips for when the directions begin to move quickly.
• Melt butter in large pan over medium heat.
• Add cooked tortellini. Stir gently until coated with butter.
• Add cream and prosciutto ham, combining gently. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add peas, cheese, and generously pepper (to taste). Turn over several times, allowing cheese to melt before serving.

PARMESAN TORTELLINI IN A BOURBON-SPIKED SQUASH SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the tortellini according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the broth, garlic, and squash puree.
• Cook the mixture, stirring, until the mixture thickens a bit, about 4-6 minutes.
• Stir in bourbon, lemon juice, thyme,brown sugar, salt and pepper, and let simmer for 1 more minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Drain the tortellini and serve with the sauce on top with grated parmesan.
• Notes: to add a spicy flavor: add a few gratings of nutmeg and a dash of allspice.
• In winter: a bay leaf will add its own distinctive perfume.
• For richer sauce: Add 1-2 tablespoons butter at the end of cooking.