Potato Leek And Bacon Ravioli Recipes

LEEK, POTATO, AND BACON CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven 325 degrees F.
• Butter an 8-by-8-inch square flameproof casserole dish. Halve the leeks lengthwise, and then cut them crosswise into half circles (There should be about 1 3/4 cups.). Put the cut leeks in the basket of a salad spinner, or a colander set in a bowl, and fill with water. Swish the leeks around to flush out any grit. Lift the basket from water--don't pour the water off or you will pour any grit right back over the leeks.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and fry the bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings, add the butter and leeks, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a small saucepan with the garlic, thyme, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and water, to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then drain. Discard the thyme and garlic and add potatoes to the leeks.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs and half-and-half, then stir in the leek mixture, 1 cup of the cheese, the bacon, and nutmeg. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, cover with foil and bake until just set but still moist, about 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Position a rack in the upper part of the oven and preheat the broiler. Scatter the remaining 1 cup cheese over the casserole and broil until the cheese browns, about 3 minutes. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Unmold or serve from baking dish.

POTATO, LEEK, AND BACON RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Cook the whole, unpeeled potatoes in a pot of unsalted water to cover at a steady boil for 20 minutes or longer, until just cooked through. Don't let them crack or get mushy on the outside. Let them cool briefly, then peel and slice them into rounds, 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat the oil and the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 or 4 minutes, until the bacon is sizzling and has rendered much of its fat. Stir in the leeks and cook another 3 minutes or so, until they're wilted and sizzling. Spread the potato slices in the pan, season with salt and pepper, and toss with the bacon and leeks.
• Cook for 8 minutes or more over medium-high heat, breaking up the potatoes into chunks. Spread and press the filling flat in the pan, and let caramelize for a couple of minutes. Turn the pieces, press, and fry; then repeat. When the filling is thoroughly cooked and has started to color, scrape it into a mixing bowl. Cool briefly, then crush the potatoes some more with a fork (I like to have little chunks left); add salt, pepper, and cheese to the filling to taste.
• Roll dough strips following the master method, page 189. For each raviolo, scoop up a heaping tablespoon of potato filling, shape it round, and set in place. Cover and cut ravioli.
• Cook and sauce ravioli as on page 192. Remove pan from heat, sprinkle the freshly grated cheese over, and serve.
• Butter and Fresh Sage Sauce (page 118) is the best, but Fresh Tomato Sauce (page 183) would go well too.