Recipes, Substantial

Ricotta and Herb Ravioli

12 March 2023

ingredients

500 g Fresh Pasta Dough

1 cup Fresh RIcotta

1 garlic clove - chopped into a paste with a teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 egg

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, tarragon, chervil, basil, thyme, marjoram or sage

Freshly ground black pepper

Flour

4 tablespoons of melted butter or

500ml of prepared sauce 

Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

equipment

Chopping board and kitchen knife

Bowl for mixing the filling

Tea towels

Pasta roller

Ravioli cutters

Basting brush

Sheet pan

Large pot for cooking the pasta

Slotted spoon or spider

Serving dish

METHOD

1. Prepare the Mixture

Combine the finely chopped herbs with the fresh ricotta, the minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese and the egg. 

Season well with salt and pepper.

2. Prepare the Pasta

Roll out the pasta fairly thin - to about Number 7 on your machine.

Cut the sheets into approx 20 cm lengths.

Dust each sheet of pasta lightly with flour and stack under a tea towel so the don't dry out while you finish preparing the rest of the dough.

3. Add the Filling

Depending upon the size of the ravioli you are making - pipe or spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling along the lower third of the sheet of pasta. Add another line of filling above if you have room.

Keep about 5cm between each blob of filling.

Lightly brush the edges of the pasta and between the filling with water - this will help the 2 layers of pasta stick together.

Cover the sheet with the blobs of filling with another sheet of pasta.

Gently coax all of the air out of the ravioli, pressing the two layers of pasta together with your finger tips.

When the sheet of ravioli has been formed and pressed, use a zigzag rolling cutter or ravioli stamp to cut off the bottom edge and to cut between each pocket of filling.

Sprinkle the base of a sheet pan lightly with flour.

Separate the ravioli and lay them out on the sheet pan , making sure the ravioli are not touching each other or they will stick together.

Cover with a towel and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Keep refrigerated right up to the time of cooking to prevent the filling from seeping through the pasta, which can cause the ravioli to stick to the pan.

4. Cook

Heat the sauce while you cook the ravioli in salted boiling water for 5 - 6 minutes or until the pasta is done.

Drain the ravioli with a slotted spoon and transfer to the sauce, taking care to coat each piece.

5. To Serve

Transfer the sauced ravioli to individual shallow bowls or a serving platter,
Drizzle lightly with more sauce if you wish.

Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan cheese if you wish.

source

Recipe adapted by Elizabeth Peddey  from  recipe by Alice Waters, THe Art of Simple Food