Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli

Cook Time: 1 hr 40 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons for boiling water
* 6 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
* 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 1/4 cup mascarpone
* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnishing
* 6 egg roll wrappers (6 1/2 by 6 1/2-inch squares)
* 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 teaspoon water
* 1/2 cup mushroom (cremini, shiitake, button), finely chopped
* 2 cups tomato sauce
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large saute pan heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. When almost
smoking, add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until
all the liquid has evaporated from the mushrooms, about 6 minutes. Add
spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and place mixture
into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until you get a coarse
texture. Place in bowl and stir in mascarpone and Parmesan cheese.
Check for seasoning and set aside.

Line up 3 wrappers on a cutting board. Brush with the egg and

water mixture. Using a tablespoon, arrange 4 dollops of the filling on
each wrapper – 2 on the first row and 2 on the second – 1-inch apart.
Place another wrapper directly on top, pressing around the filling and
sealing the edges. Using a fluted ravioli cutter, cut out squares of
ravioli. Each filled wrapper will yield 4 raviolis, giving you a total
of 12 ravioli. Place ravioli onto a floured baking sheet and keep
covered with a linen towel.

In a large pot, bring to a boil 4 quarts of salted and oiled water.
Carefully add small batches of ravioli, about 3 to 4 at a time. This
will prevent them from crowding in the pot and sticking together. Cook
for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a spider strainer, carefully remove the
ravioli and place on the plate. Tent with foil to keep warm and
continue cooking remaining ravioli.

In a saute pan, heat remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. When almost smoking,
add chopped mushrooms and saute until soft and most of the liquid has
evaporated, about 8 minutes. Carefully pour in tomato sauce and simmer
for 5 minutes.

Divide ravioli between 2 serving plates. Top with mushroom tomato
sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan.

From: foodnetwork.com

Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese

Cook Time: 25 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

* 1-ounce dried porcini mushrooms
* 1 1/2 cups hot water
* 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
* 2 garlic cloves
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 5 ounces assorted mushrooms (like shiitake, cremini, and brown),
stemmed and chopped
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
* 1 pound rigatoni pasta
* 1/4 cup Parmesan

Directions

Place the dried mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with 1 1/2 cups
very hot water. Set aside and let the mushrooms soften.

Place the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a food processor.
Pulse the vegetables until finely chopped but still chunky. Place the
olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the
chopped vegetables, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook until
tender, about 6 minutes. Strain the porcini mushrooms, reserving the
porcini mushroom liquid. Add the porcini mushrooms, fresh mushrooms,
and tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring to dissolve the tomato
paste, until the mushrooms are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the
porcini mushroom liquid and red wine. Bring the liquid to a boil,
reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer until the liquid is
reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add mascarpone cheese and stir just
until the cheese is incorporated.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite,
stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving
1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and add to the vegetable mixture. Add
some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid, if necessary, to moisten
the sauce. Toss with Parmesan and serve.

From: foodnetwork.com