Italian Home Style Ravioli in Lemon-Garlic White Sauce Recipe
A delightful Italian dish that combines the freshness of homemade ravioli with a creamy lemon-garlic white sauce, creating an unforgettable meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
| For the Dough | For the Filling | For the Sauce | For the Gremolata |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Maida) | 100 grams Paneer (Homemade Cottage Cheese) | 1 tablespoon Butter (unsalted) | 15-20 Parsley leaves (finely chopped) |
| 1 Whole Egg (whisked) | 15-20 Red Amaranth Leaves (or spinach leaves) | 1 Onion (finely chopped) | 10-12 Mint leaves (finely chopped) |
| 1 pinch Salt | 1 pinch Nutmeg powder | 2 cloves Garlic (finely chopped) | 2 cloves Garlic (grated) |
| 2 teaspoons Del Monte Black Olives | 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper powder | 6-7 Cherry tomatoes (halved) | 2 teaspoons Lemon zest (grated) |
| Salt to taste | 10 Del Monte Green Olives (whole) | ||
| 5 Del Monte Black Olives (sliced) | |||
| 1 teaspoon Lemon zest | |||
| 1/2 cup Fresh cream | |||
| 1 cup Milk | |||
| 5-6 Sichuan peppercorns (freshly crushed) | |||
| 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli flakes (optional) | |||
| 2 teaspoons Cheddar cheese (grated) | |||
| Salt to taste |
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 150 minutes
Total Time: 160 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Course: Lunch
Diet: Vegetarian
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and whisked egg.
- Gradually add water, a little at a time, kneading the mixture with your hands until you achieve a soft dough. Continue kneading for about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the dough is smooth, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to allow it to rest and firm up.
Prepare the Filling:
- Crumble the homemade paneer (cottage cheese) into a bowl.
- Finely chop the red amaranth leaves (or spinach if using) and add them to the crumbled paneer.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg powder. Mix well until all ingredients are combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a wide pan, melt butter over low heat.
- Add the finely chopped garlic and onion. Sauté them gently until they turn a light golden brown.
- Stir in the fresh cream and continue to cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to bubble.
- Add the milk, black pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, and grated cheddar cheese to the pan. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the halved cherry tomatoes, whole green olives, and sliced black olives. Stir everything together and immediately turn off the heat.
- Add the lemon zest and salt, and set the sauce aside.
Prepare the Gremolata:
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped parsley, mint leaves, grated lemon zest, and grated garlic.
- Mix everything together until well combined. Set this gremolata aside to use later.
Assemble the Ravioli:
- After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Lightly flour your work surface.
- Pinch off a portion of dough roughly the size of a lemon and roll it out into a thin sheet.
- Using a large round cookie cutter or a ravioli mold, cut out circles from the rolled dough.
- Place a spoonful of the prepared filling into the center of each dough circle.
- Lightly dampen the edges of the dough circle with a little water. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges firmly together to seal.
- Repeat this process for the entire batch of dough. Alternatively, you can use a ravioli mold to shape and seal the dumplings more easily.
Cook the Ravioli:
- Bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Once the water is boiling, carefully drop the ravioli into the water.
- The ravioli will begin to float to the top within 2-3 minutes, signaling that they are ready. Remove them from the water with a slotted spoon.
Combine and Serve:
- Gently transfer the cooked ravioli to the prepared sauce. Stir to coat the ravioli in the creamy lemon-garlic sauce.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the freshly made gremolata generously over the ravioli for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Serve your Italian Home Style Ravioli in Lemon-Garlic White Sauce with slices of crispy Mac & Cheese Crostini, a side of fresh garden salad, and a glass of wine for the perfect Italian-inspired meal.
Tips for the Perfect Ravioli:
- Rest the dough: Allowing the dough to rest for at least 2 hours in the fridge will make it easier to roll out and give it a better texture.
- Fresh ingredients: Use fresh herbs, especially for the gremolata, to bring out the best flavors in the dish.
- Filling variations: You can experiment with different greens or cheeses in the filling, such as ricotta or goat cheese, to suit your tastes.
- Serving ideas: For a complete Italian meal, serve the ravioli with a light dessert like Tiramisu or Lemon Sorbet, and pair it with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio.
Enjoy this comforting, flavorful ravioli dish that’s brimming with fresh, aromatic flavors, perfect for a cozy lunch or a special dinner with loved ones.
