Ravioli
PANTRY RAVIOLI OR LASAGNA
Here is a recipe for when you can’t or don’t want to leave home; or for those times when you have a leisurely afternoon to spend in the kitchen and you don’t want to waste it shopping for ingredients. Making ravioli by hand is a time consuming process, but the results can be well worth it when you compare your own economical and wonderfully rich ravioli with the cardboard-like commercial product found in stores.
These can be made from simple ingredients commonly stored on the shelf. But if you’re on your way to the store anyway, pick up fresh ingredients, such as full milk ricotta to use in the filling, as well as fresh herbs. The same recipe can be used, either way, by skipping the cottage cheese-making step below.
Home-made cottage (or Ricotta cheese – for filling):
1 gallon reconstituted dry milk
1/2 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
Prepare the filling for ravioli by creating a made-at-home ricotta cheese substitute.
Using a thermometer, heat the milk until it reaches a temperature of 190°F. If no thermometer is available, judge the temperature approximately by bringing the milk to a near boil, then removing from heat.
Stir in the vinegar, then allow the milk to sit until it has reached room temperature.
The milk will separate into curds and whey (coagulated cheese in water). Scoop the curds into a colander and drain off the whey. Sprinkle with salt. (Save the whey – it can be used as a substitute for buttermilk to make tender biscuits or other baked goods). Cream and butter may optionally be added to the curds for a richer texture. The curds have now become cottage cheese and are ready to be used in the filling.
Filling:
Measure out 4-5 cups of the cottage cheese. Season it with cracked black pepper, chopped fresh or dry parsley (about 1/4 cup) or use the same amount of thawed frozen or chopped fresh spinach to combine with the cheese.
A 1/4 teaspoon each of basil and oregano, and 1/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese along with 2 whole eggs (dry whole eggs or egg substitutes can be used in a pinch). Add a dash of nutmeg, if desired.
Mix well to distribute seasonings. Tiny bits of thinly sliced and shredded prosciutto can be added for variation. Any leftover filling may be combined with shredded Mozzarella cheese and used to fill calzone or pizzagaina.