Imagine impressing your loved ones with a dish that's not just delicious, but visually stunning - heart-shaped ravioli that transforms an ordinary pasta meal into an extraordinary culinary experience! These delicate, love-filled parcels are perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or simply when you want to add a touch of whimsy to your cooking. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a passionate home cook, this recipe will elevate your Italian cuisine game and create memories that will last long after the last bite.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12-15 ravioli
Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Filling of your choice (e.g. ricotta, spinach, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta dough by creating a flour well on a clean work surface. Crack the eggs into the center of the well and add salt and olive oil.
- Gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs using a fork, mixing until a shaggy dough begins to form. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Wrap the pasta dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow gluten to relax.
- Roll out the dough using a pasta machine or rolling pin until very thin, approximately 1-2 millimeters thick. Ensure the dough is smooth and translucent.
- Cut the pasta sheet into even rectangles approximately 4 inches wide.
- Place small dollops of your chosen filling (ricotta or spinach) evenly spaced on one half of each pasta rectangle.
- Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, carefully trace and cut around the filling to create heart-shaped ravioli.
- Seal the edges of each ravioli by pressing with a fork or pinching edges together, ensuring no air bubbles remain.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Carefully drop ravioli into the water and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface.
- Remove ravioli with a slotted spoon, drain excess water, and serve immediately with your preferred sauce.
Tips
- Ensure your pasta dough is well-rested to achieve maximum elasticity and prevent tearing.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for precise and consistent ravioli shapes.
- Remove all air bubbles when sealing to prevent ravioli from bursting during cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the pot when boiling - cook ravioli in batches for best results.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different fillings like ricotta, spinach, or even lobster.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the perfect texture and temperature.
- If you're new to pasta-making, practice your dough technique before the final preparation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 35mg
