In the realm of Italian cuisine, there exists a family of delectable dumplings known as "Zavioli," which are characterized by their delicate pasta pockets filled with an array of savory ingredients. The recipes presented in this article offer a culinary journey through two enticing variations of Zavioli, each boasting unique flavors and textures that will delight your palate.
First, we embark on a culinary adventure with Spinach and Ricotta Zavioli, where tender spinach leaves and creamy ricotta cheese join forces to create a vibrant filling enveloped in a silky pasta dough. This classic combination is elevated by a simple yet flavorful tomato sauce, resulting in a harmonious dish where each element shines through.
For those seeking a heartier experience, the Prosciutto and Fontina Zavioli await. In this variation, succulent prosciutto and nutty Fontina cheese unite to form a robust filling, perfectly complemented by a rich béchamel sauce. Each bite promises a symphony of flavors and textures, leaving you craving more.
SPINACH-RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta cheese and baked in tomato sauce is a comforting classic. For this version, add in loads of cooked greens to the filling to add a fresh and colorful vegetable component, without skimping on the oozy cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes; season with salt. (You should have about 4 heaping cups of sauce.)
- Make the stuffed shells: Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook as the label directs for baking, about 9 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Spread out on a baking sheet.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a large plate lined with a kitchen towel. Squeeze to remove any excess liquid, then finely chop.
- Put the spinach in a large bowl and add the ricotta, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest, beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir until combined.
- To assemble, spread about half of the sauce in the bottom of a 10-by-14-inch baking dish. Evenly fill the shells with the spinach-ricotta mixture using a spoon, or pipe it in using a pastry bag. Arrange the shells side by side, open-side up, in the baking dish on top of the sauce, then top with the remaining sauce.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake until heated through and the sauce is simmering around the edges, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until any shells or cheese poking through the sauce are lightly browned in spots, about 10 more minutes. Let sit 10 minutes. Top with more Parmesan and red pepper flakes.
RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH SPINACH PESTO
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, 1/4 cup hazelnuts, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay several wonton wrappers on a work surface. Scoop a generous tablespoon of the ricotta filling into the center of each wrapper, and brush outside edges with egg white. Lay another wonton wrapper on top of each, and press firmly with fingertips to press out air and seal ravioli. Transfer ravioli to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling, making 18 to 20 ravioli total. Cover baking sheet with a damp paper towel and transfer to refrigerator to set up, about 30 minutes.
- To make the spinach pesto:
- In a food processor, combine remaining 3/4 cup hazelnuts, lemon juice, spinach, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste and puree until smooth.
- Fill a large pot with water, salt liberally, and bring to a boil. Cook ravioli in three batches, until they are cooked and float to the top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Strain and transfer to serving bowls with a dollop of spinach pesto.
RAVIOLI STUFFED WITH RICOTTA AND SPINACH
Steps:
- Spoon the ricotta into a large fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with a double thickness of cheesecloth or a basket-type coffee filter. Set the sieve over a bowl and cover the ricotta well with plastic wrap. Let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator at least overnight or up to 24 hours. Discard the liquid in the bottom of the bowl.
- In a wide braising pan or deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and scallions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped spinach and increase the heat to medium. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set in a strainer and cool completely.
- Stir the fresh ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, and sautéed greens together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the egg. Chill thoroughly.
- While the filling is chilling, make the pasta dough and let rest.
- Form and cut the ravioli according to directions on page 190. The ravioli should be cooked immediately or refrigerated up to 4 hours. (The ravioli may also be frozen: Place the sheets of ravioli onto a freezer shelf and freeze until solid to the touch. Carefully transfer the ravioli to resealable plastic bags or airtight plastic containers.)
- Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat. Slip the ravioli into the water a few at a time, stirring gently as you do. Cook until the edges of the pasta are tender but still firm to the bite and they rise to the surface, about 6 minutes after the water returns to a boil.
- While the ravioli are cooking, divide the tomato sauce, olive oil, and basil between two large skillets and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Fish out the ravioli with a wire skimmer or large flat slotted spoon, drain them well over the pasta pot, and slide them into the pans of sauce, dividing them evenly. Simmer, stirring gently with a spoon until the sauce is lightly reduced and the ravioli are coated. Remove the pans from the heat, check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary. Spoon the ravioli into warm bowls or onto a warm platter, sprinkle with the grated cheese, and serve immediately.
- Variation: Butter-Sage Sauce (Conditi all Burro e Salvia)
- Melt one stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter in a large skillet over low heat. (The heat should be low enough to melt the butter slowly, without its separating or turning clear.) Add eight to ten whole sage leaves and remove the skillet from the heat. Ladle out about 1 cup of the ravioli-cooking water before you drain them. Either fish the ravioli out of the pot with a large wire skimmer or drain them gently. Add the ravioli to the skillet. Pour in enough of the cooking liquid to make a sufficient amount of creamy sauce to coat the ravioli generously. Bring to a quick boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- To make the pasta dough, you'll need all-purpose flour, eggs, olive oil, and salt. Make sure to knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, then let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. Using fresh pasta dough will significantly enhance the taste.
- For the filling, you'll need fresh spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Make sure to drain the spinach thoroughly before adding it to the filling mixture, otherwise, the filling will be too wet.
- To shape the ravioli, you can use a ravioli maker or do it by hand. If you're using a ravioli maker, follow the instructions that came with it. If you're doing it by hand, place a spoonful of the filling in the center of a wonton wrapper, then fold the wrapper over to form a triangle. Pinch the edges together to seal.
- To cook the ravioli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ravioli and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the top. Remove the ravioli from the pot with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate.
- Serve the ravioli with your favorite sauce. Some popular options include tomato sauce, pesto sauce, or Alfredo sauce. You can also top the ravioli with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Conclusion:
Zavioli with spinach and ricotta is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting pasta recipe, give zavioli with spinach and ricotta a try. You won't be disappointed!
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