5 nonna-approved tips for the best ravioli
Photo: [Less With Bread]
We have the Italians to thank for the brilliant invention that is ravioli. Of course it had to be them who decided to create little heavenly pillows filled with cheese and herbs then cover them in sauce.
In honour of National Ravioli Day on Sunday (bless whoever made this a holiday), I sat down with my Nonna to share her top five tips for making traditional ravioli and the recipe I grew up eating (link at the bottom).
Tip #1: Always buy the freshest ingredients you can find
Fresh ricotta cheese is used in this recipe and, I think we can all agree, is one of the best things out there. Smooth and creamy but light at the same time, the mild, fresh taste of this cheese is what makes this dish so special. We all know that quality ingredients make the world of difference!
Tip #2: Roll to only the second last setting on your pasta machine
You want the pasta to be thin enough so that it cooks well, but sturdy so that it can keep its perfect shape. The last thing we want is the pasta to rip and the delicious filling to escape!
Tip #3: Make sure the pockets are sealed tightly with no air bubbles in the filling.
If there are any air bubbles sealed in with the filling, they may pop open when cooking, which means more filling in your pot than in your pasta. (But don’t stress over a little air, it’s inevitable!)
Tip #4: Make sure to cook the ravioli in lots of water that’s been brought to a rolling boil.
Use more water than you would think is necessary, add a generous pinch of salt, and make sure the water is at a proper boil. The ravioli cook best when in a large pot so they have space to move around and not stick together. Keeping the water at a rolling boil is important too! This ensures that the pasta is cooking to the proper al dente.
Tip # 5: Have fun!
Your first attempt at making ravioli may not yield the perfect shape, or it may take a couple of tries to figure out what works best for you, but don’t give up! The best part is they will taste delicious no matter what they look like!
Get Nonna’s Ricotta Ravioli Recipe from Less With Bread
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