Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Grandma would be proud . . .

At least, I hope she would!  You see, every year at Thanksgiving, my grandmother would make home-made ravioli.  I don't remember having them at any other time, although I'm sure she must have made them more often for my grandfather.  This year, I decided to try to keep the tradition.  Grammy taught me to make pasta dough, and I've made fettuccine often.  But I've never attempted ravioli.  So, how did it go?  Well, first I made the well of flour.  Then I added the eggs to the middle.



The next step is to mix it all together.   This part is always pretty scary because the eggs want to run all over the place.  I'm getting pretty good at keeping them under control though.  Before I knew it, I had my dough.



Next up, roll out the dough into strips. Then place the bottom layer into the ravioli mold.  My grandmother bought both the pasta maker and the ravioli molds for my mom.  I'm the only one who has ever used them.  My mom isn't Italian - and can't be bothered cooking anything too fussy.



Okay, now it's time for the filling. These are just plain cheese ravioli, but I'm looking forward to experimenting with more exotic fillings once my technique improves. Mmmmm, lobster ravioli!! Once filled, the second layer of pasta goes on and the mold gets rolled with a rolling pin to seal and cut the ravioli.



The last step is to break them apart.  Oh and boil them up for a taste-test, of course!!



In usual "bad blogger" style I forgot to take a picture of them on the plate before we gobbled them up.  So, how were they?  Honestly?  Eeeehh.  Pete thought they were great, but I can see room for improvement.  First of all, I need to roll the sheets of dough thinner.  I was afraid they'd be too delicate and break so I guess I left them a bit on the thick side.  I also need to put more filling in.  Neither of these things were much of a surprise.  I made 60 ravioli when the recipe was supposed to make 72 and that I had a ton of filling left over.  So yes, next time, thinner and more filling!

Are you trying anything new for Thanksgiving this year?

7 comments:

bmom said...

I've never had homemade ravioli -- it sounds so good! We try out at least one new recipe every year. This year it's a new pie (apple crumb) and veggie dish (parsnips, carrots, squash). Traditions must evolve!

Tamara said...

Sounds yummy! I've made ravioli before but it was a very, very long time ago. This year, Dave is trying this turkey brining thing... I have to admit that it makes me a bit nervous though.

Zonda said...

Good for you trying it! I just love cheese ravioli. Good luck next time. As for me..um..I was going to try a new cranberry sauce recipe...forgot a few ingredients so just the old sugar and water this year ;)

Julie said...

they look awesome! I really need to try pasta more often

Walden said...

The ravioli molds sound great. I've only ever made if from rolling it out and shaping things with my hands. I am going to try to make home-made gravy after the Turkey is done. I have made home-made gravy a couple of times, but never from a turkey before.

kathy b said...

Nothing stops you from reaching for the moon Karen. I wouldn't even try! Fun to see the process! Will KC get one bit of turkey?

Radar will!

Marissa said...

It's fun, isn't it?? I do the opposite of you, with less than stellar results- I use too much filling, and they break apart while cooking. kind of like watery lasagne when I get done. I've yet to do them 'right'! But I always think of my Grandmother when I do it, so I'll keep at it! Mmmm, lobster ravioli sounds good to me, too!

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