Lentil Ravioli Recipes

RAVIOLI DOUGH

Steps:

• In an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour and salt. Add eggs 1 at a time and continue to mix. Drizzle in oil and continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Sprinkle some flour on work surface, knead the dough until elastic and smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
• Cut the ball of dough in half, cover and reserve the dough you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle and roll it through the pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at its widest setting. Guide 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 until the machine is at its narrowest setting. The dough should be paper-thin, about 1/8-inch thick.
• Dust the counter and dough with flour, lay out the long sheet of pasta. Brush the top surface of dough with egg wash. Drop 1 tablespoon of cooled filling about 2-inches apart on half the sheet of pasta. Fold the unfilled half over the filling. With an espresso cup or fingers, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling and form a seal. Use a crimper to cut each pillow into squares. Check to make sure the crimped edges are well sealed before cooking. If making ravioli in advance, dust with cornmeal to prevent them from sticking.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water for 10 to15 minutes. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Lift the ravioli from water with a large strainer or slotted spoon. Plate the pasta, top with sauce and grated cheese before serving. Garnish plate with chopped herbs and toasted pine nuts.
• *For Herb-Patterned Pasta: Follow the standard recipe given above and roll it out to a medium-thick sheet. Next, take well-washed leafy herbs such as, basil, flat-leaf parsley and tarragon, pinch away the stems so only the leaves remain. Hand press the fresh herbs on the dough's surface at 1-inch intervals. Fold the dough over itself and run the "sandwich" through the pasta machine at a thin setting. The leaves will stretch and pattern the pasta. Continue making ravioli as indicated in the procedure.

LENTIL RAVIOLI WITH SAUSAGE AND YELLOW TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until golden, about 12 minutes. Add garlic, anchovies, jalapeños, turmeric, and saffron. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Mix in tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate.)
• For ravioli:
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until brown, about 8 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to color, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, jalapeños, and paprika; stir to coat. Add broth and vinegar and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 1 hour. Uncover and cook until all broth is absorbed, about 25 minutes longer. Season lentil mixture with salt and pepper. Using potato masher, mash mixture coarsely. Transfer filling to medium bowl and chill until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Line 2 large baking sheets with foil or parchment paper. Working with 2 wonton wrappers at a time, brush each with egg white. Place 1 tablespoon filling in center of 1 wrapper. Top with second wrapper, egg white side down, and seal, pressing out any air. Cut into round with fluted pastry wheel or 2 3/4-inch-diameter scalloped cookie cutter, if desired. Place on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)
• For sausages:
• Place flour in 1 small bowl, egg in second small bowl, and breadcrumbs in third small bowl. Dip sausage pieces into flour, then egg, then crumbs to coat. Place on large plate. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Preheat oven to 250°F. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add sausages. Sauté until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Place on baking sheet; keep warm in oven.
• Bring large pot of generously salted water to boil. Cook 1/3 of ravioli until just tender but still firm to bite, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, divide ravioli between 2 shallow bowls; tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining ravioli in 2 more batches. Rewarm sauce; spoon around ravioli. Top with sausage.

LENTIL RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Sauté fennel and ginger 2-3 minutes; add spices and cook 1 minute longer.
• Add water and lentils to skillet; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the lentils are just tender, about 15 minutes.
• Simmer uncovered until excess liquid is goner, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the lentil mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper; brush edges with water.
• Place a second wonton wrapper on top and press edges to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
• Heat 3 quarts of water to boiling; add 4-6 ravioli.
• Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until ravioli float to surface and are cooked al dente.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and repeat the cooking procedure with the remaining ravioli. Serve topped with your favorite sauce.

MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

Steps:

• To prepare ravioli, place mushrooms in food processor; pulse 10 times or until finely chopped.
• Heat oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and 1/8 teaspoon salt; cook 5 minutes or until moisture evaporates, stirring occasionally.
• Working with 1 wonton wrapper at a time (cover remaining wrappers with a damp towel to keep them from drying), spoon about 2 teaspoons mushroom mixture into center of each wrapper.
• Moisten edges of dough with water; bring 2 opposite corners together. Pinch edges together to seal, forming a triangle.
• Place ravioli on a large baking sheet sprinkled with cornstarch.
• To prepare sauce, combine milk and flour in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; stir with a whisk.
• Cook 4 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in cheese, 1 tablespoon chives, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Set aside; keep warm.
• Cook ravioli in boiling water 2 minutes or until tender. Drain. Serve with sauce. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired.