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Valentine’s Day ravioli

⏱ 90 min🍳 5 min👤 4 pp★★★★★

It may happen just once a year, or it may happen a few times, but sooner or later you will have to make a great impression with your cooking: the need will arise for making something for a special occasion which not only tastes good, but also looks great too, and perhaps follows a particular theme or helps to celebrate a special festival or event. Today's recipe is one of those: it is Valentine’s Day ravioli, a main course entirely dedicated to the most romantic day of the year, 14th February. It is a dish of pink, heart-shaped ravioli that is not at all difficult to make. Of course, making homemade pasta takes a little patience, but you will soon find that it is not insurmountable! We have stuffed them with an excellent filling of fresh mushrooms and dressed them with a light tomato sauce, but you can use your imagination and fill them with anything you wish.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 420 kcal / serving
Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
58g
Fat
12g
Fiber
2g

* approximate values per serving

Information
90 minutes Preparation time
5 minutes Cooking time
Serves 4 persons
★★★★★ Very hard

Preparation

Mix the flour with the eggs and the tomato concentrate. Knead and shape into a ball and then let it rest for 10 minutes. Pull the dough into long sheets using a pasta maker. Meanwhile, make the filling: fry the garlic in a pan, clean and slice the mushrooms and add these too, then cook for a few minutes. Don’t add liquid. Then blitz the mushrooms with cooking cream in a blender. Add the Parmesan and season with salt. Place the filling at intervals on the strips of pasta dough, cover with the other strips of dough and cut the ravioli with a special biscuit cutter. Boil the ravioli in salted water. Dress with a fresh, very light tomato sauce. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan.

Tips
For a really sophisticated outcome, romantic, and with a touch of the aphrodisiac about it, we suggest replacing the filling of a fresh mushrooms with one made from fish or seafood bought on the same day.
Trivia
Ravioli are a type of stuffed pasta which has spread all over the world: they are a part of Italian gastronomy but just as much a part of Chinese, Mongolian, Japanese cuisine and many other countries. However, clearly ravioli sunk their roots into Italian culture - to be precise in Gavi in the province of Alessandria - in the Middle Ages. Here lived a family known as "Raviolo", who apparently invented the eponymous filled pasta.

Step by step

Dough
Dough
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Valentine's Day Ravioli with Mushroom and Cream Filling

Valentine's Day Ravioli can be prepared with an alternative filling, using fresh and seasonal ingredients. For a special touch, you can replace the mushrooms with fresh spinach and ricotta, thus creating a creamy and delicate combination. The recipe remains the same, but the flavor will change significantly. The ravioli can be dressed with a simple fresh tomato and basil sauce, or with melted butter and sage to enhance the taste of the filling. This variant is perfect for those looking for a vegetarian option, without sacrificing flavor and tradition.

Valentine's Day Ravioli in the Marchigiana Style with Tomato Sauce

In some areas of the Marche region, Valentine's Day Ravioli are prepared following local tradition, with a fresh tomato and basil sauce. This version is particularly loved for its simplicity and for the way it enhances the flavor of the fresh pasta. The ravioli are cooked al dente and then dressed with the sauce, which can be enriched with a bit of chili for those who enjoy bold flavors. Serve the ravioli with plenty of grated Parmigiano on top, for a dish that celebrates Marchigiana cuisine and its authenticity.

Light Valentine's Day Ravioli with Vegetable Filling

For those who want a lighter version of Valentine's Day Ravioli, it is possible to prepare a filling based on vegetables. Using zucchini, carrots, and spinach, you can achieve a mixture rich in nutrients and lower in calories. For the pasta, you can opt for whole wheat flour, which offers a higher fiber content. This preparation is ideal for those looking to maintain a balanced diet, without giving up the pleasure of enjoying a good plate of ravioli. Dress with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of lemon for a fresh touch.

Benefits of Mushrooms in Valentine's Day Ravioli and Approximate Calories

Mushrooms, the main ingredient in Valentine's Day Ravioli, provide numerous health benefits. They are rich in B vitamins, which support energy metabolism, and contain antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, mushrooms are an excellent source of minerals such as selenium and potassium. In terms of calories, 100 grams of ravioli filled with mushrooms and cream provide about 250-300 calories, depending on the amount of cream used. This recipe can therefore be enjoyed even on special occasions, without feeling guilty about the calories.

Can Valentine's Day Ravioli be Frozen?

Yes, Valentine's Day Ravioli can be frozen without any problems. It is advisable to do so before cooking, in order to keep their characteristics intact. To freeze them, arrange the ravioli on a tray in a single layer and place them in the freezer until they solidify. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a food bag or an airtight container. When you decide to cook them, there is no need to thaw them: just cook them directly in boiling water, slightly increasing the cooking time. This way, you can enjoy your ravioli fresh even at a later time.