Ravioli

Poor little Cookie Monster has been neglected for far too long!  Here is the recipe I use to make the ravioli.  They're really pretty easy to make, just very time consuming.  While you're doing the work, it's a great idea to just make a bunch and put it in the freezer.  (Make the filling, and put it in the fridge while you're making the dough)  Don't be intimidated by how long the recipe looks, hehe!  

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Ingredients

Filling

•  1/2 lb. ground beef

•  1 small onion (minced)

•  1 garlic clove (minced)

•  1\4 C minced parsley (If you don't have fresh parsley, I just use a couple tablespoons of the dried stuff :) )

•  2 TB parmesan cheese (I used more than 2 TB...you can play around with how much you want)

•  1\2 tsp salt (You maybe want to add just a tink more...)

•  1 egg

Dough 

•  2 1/4 C flour

•  2 eggs

•  1/4 C water

•  1 TB olive oil

•  1 tsp salt

Marinara sauce 

•  2 TB olive oil

•  1 small onion (chopped finely)

•  1 clove garlic (chopped finely)

•  1 TB sugar

•  2 tsp basil

•  1 tsp salt

•  1 C tomato paste

•   1 C water

 Directions

Dough

In large bowl, stir flour with other ingredients to make a stiff dough.  On well floured surface, knead dough until smooth and not sticky (about 20 times).  Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 mins.  Cut dough into 4 pieces.  On floured surface, roll 1 piece into approx. a 12x8 rectangle (If you can get it to actually roll into a rectangle - congrats! :) ).  Lightly mark into dough 24 2 inch squares.  Place about a tsp of meat filling into middle of square.  Roll a second piece of dough into a same size rectangle, and carefully place on top of other dough and the filling.  Press down around the lumps of filling and the edges.  Cut into 24 ravioli and place in a single layer on a dry tea towel to dry.  Repeat with the rest of the dough and filling, and let rest for 30 mins.  In saucepan, heat 6 qts. of water and 2 tsp of salt to boiling - then add a tink of olive oil.  Gently add ravioli and carefully stir.  Reduce heat to medium and cook until tender but firm (Approx. 5-10 mins).  Drain, and add sauce.

Sauce

Over medium heat in hot oil, cook onion and garlic until tender.  Stir in sugar, basil, salt, tomato paste and water.  Heat to boiling while stirring.  Reduce to low heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 mins to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.  Pour over ravioli, and eat - ready to handle all the "Oohs", "Ahhs", and elaborate compliments that come your way.

:)

Enjoy, and make sure to leave a comment if you tried the recipe!

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(Pictures courtesy of Julia)