Ragusa Style Ricotta Ravioli Recipes

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.

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.