Fresh Pasta Rollatini With Spinach And Ricotta Recipes

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI WITH SPINACH & RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350F/. Cut the tops off the eggplant/aubergine then cut into slices around 1cm / 1/4 inch thick. Place on a lined baking tray, brush with a little olive oil (2 tbsp) and bake for 20 minutes until tender. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile add half tbsp of olive oil to a frying pan and add the spinach, stir so it doesn't burn until completely wilted. Remove from the pan and let cool.
• To make the tomato sauce, add a tbsp of olive oil to the frying pan. Add the finely chopped shallot and garlic to the pan.
• Sauté for 1 minute then add the chopped tomatoes. Rinse out any excess tomato from the can with 1/4 cup (60ml) water and add it to the sauce alongside the tomato paste, oregano and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Squeeze out any extra moisture from the wilted spinach then finely chop and add to a large bowl. Add the ricotta, parmesan, nutmeg and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until thoroughly combined.
• To assemble the eggplant roll-ups, add a spoonful of ricotta mixture (about a heaped tbsp) in the centre of a slice of eggplant then roll it up. Repeat with the rest of the eggplant and ricotta mixture.
• Add 3/4 of the tomato sauce to the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the eggplant roll-ups in the baking dish then top with the remaining sauce. Top with mozzarella then bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the mozzarella is golden and melted and everything is heated right through.

SPINACH & RICOTTA PENNE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions until al dente, about 12 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat and cook the garlic and leeks for 5 mins, stirring until soft. Add the spinach, cover and cook for 3 mins more until wilted. Stir well.
• Mix the ricotta with the milk, cheese and a grating of nutmeg. Drain the pasta (reserving a mugful of the water), and add it to the veg. Pour over the ricotta mixture and toss well to combine. Add 3-4 tbsp of the reserved pasta water to loosen a little, then serve.