Spinach And Ricotta Ravioli Topped With Asparagus And Tomato Sauté With Fresh Crab And Parmesan Recipes

SPINACH RAVIOLI WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salami and garlic and cook, about 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes into the pan with your hands and cook until slightly dry, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved tomato juice, basil, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Increase the heat to high and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup water and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let simmer while you cook the ravioli.
• Add salt to the boiling water, then add the ravioli and cook as the label directs; drain. Divide the ravioli among shallow bowls, spoon the sauce on top and sprinkle with the cheese. Garnish with more basil.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt on a flat work surface; shape into a mound and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the well and lightly beat with a fork. Gradually draw in the flour from the inside wall of the well in a circular motion. Continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes.
• While the pasta is resting, prepare the filling. Steam the spinach and drain well, pressing the spinach to remove all excess liquid. Chop finely. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots and cook for about a minute, stirring so that they do not brown. Add the shallots to the spinach, along with the ricotta, Parmesan cheese and egg. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper as needed.
• Cut the ball of dough in 1/2, cover and reserve the piece you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with a little flour. Press the dough into a rectangle and roll it through a pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at widest setting. Pull and stretch 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 tightening until the machine is at the second narrowest setting; the dough should be almost paper-thin.
• Dust the counter and sheet of dough with flour, lay out the long sheet of pasta, and brush the top surface with a little water, which acts as a glue. Drop 1 tablespoon of the filling on 1/2 of the pasta sheet, about 2-inches apart. Fold the other 1/2 over the filling like a blanket. With your fingers, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling. Use a sharp knife to cut each pillow into squares and crimp the 4 edges with the tins of a fork to make a tight seal. A fluted pastry wheel also works well to make an attractive edge around the pasta. Dust the ravioli and a sheet pan with cornmeal to prevent the pasta from sticking and lay them out to dry slightly while assembling the rest. If not using within an hour or two refrigerate until needed.
• To prepare the sauce, heat the two tablespoons of oil in a heavy pot and cook the garlic for just a minute. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Add the chopped basil, and mix well. Cook over low heat an additional 10 minutes. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water until tender. They will float to the top when ready, so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Drain the ravioli and return to the pot. Pour half of the sauce mixture into the pot and carefully stir until the ravioli is lightly coated. Serve the ravioli with a spoonful of additional sauce and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Serve hot.

VALENTINO'S SPINACH-RICOTTA-PARMESAN RAVIOLI

Steps:

• For the pasta dough: combine 2 1/2 cups flour and the salt in a food processor. Combine the whole egg, yolks, oil and 5 tablespoons water in a cup and mix with a fork to blend. With the food processor running, add the egg mixture in a steady stream and process until the dry ingredients look like coarse crumbs. Stop and mix the ingredients to clear out any dry pockets of flour. Process until the mixture forms a dough that cleans the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a work surface and knead about 10 times. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle with some flour and knead it in. Place the dough in a zip-top plastic bag and let it rest while starting the sauce and filling.
• For the basil-cream sauce: melt the butter in the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion. Sauté until softened and caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and 1 cup water and stir until boiling. Add half of the shredded basil and boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and boil until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining shredded basil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the filling: finely chop the spinach; place in a bowl. Add cheeses, egg, salt and pepper, and mix well.
• For the ravioli: roll out one-third of the pasta dough onto a lightly floured surface until paper-thin, or roll gradually through a pasta machine. Working with a 6-by-30-inch piece of dough, place heaping teaspoonfuls of filling on the upper half of the length of dough, making 2 rows of 10 mounds. Wet the pasta dough between the mounds with water and fold over the empty pasta half. Press from the fold to seal, trying to eliminate air pockets. Trim the pasta edges with a cutter or knife, and separate the individual raviolo. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Cook the ravioli in a stockpot of boiling salted water until the pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and spread out into a large serving bowl. Reheat the sauce and pour on top. Gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan and serve.