Fish and seafood are very prominent in Italian cuisine, largely due to Italy’s extensive coastline which ensures a plentiful supply of fresh fish for many regions. In this delicious recipe, we pay homage to the small, family-owned coastal eateries which can be found in abundance along the southern coast of il bel paese. In these tiny restaurants, the catch of the day is freshly prepared every morning ready to serve the hungry lunchtime crowds.
The simplicity of the cooking in these establishments is refreshing, the fish takes pride of place and is served with only a few choice herbs to enhance the flavour. In these delicious ravioli, we pair our white fish with parsley and dill and blend it with ricotta cheese to give the filling a velvety smooth texture. Try this tasty recipe and be whisked away to the Italian coast to feel the golden sun on your back and smell the salty ocean breeze.
Make our Delicious Cod Ravioli
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Calories per serving: 649 kcal
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 400g “00” flour
- 4 eggs
For the Filling:
- 200g white boneless fish fillet (such as cod, hake or sea bass)
- 100g single cream
- 50g ricotta cheese
- 1 egg white
- Small handful of freshly chopped parsley or dill
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- A sprinkling of fresh samphire, to serve
Method
For the Pasta:
Making the pasta sheet for your ravioli is very simple and we’ve outlined the process in the steps below. We also have a helpful video guide if you’d like to follow along with Roberta as she makes fresh pasta dough from scratch.
Making the Dough
- Start by making a mound with your flour on a wooden board or clean work surface. Then make a well in the centre to form a crater-like shape.
- Crack the eggs into the centre and, with a fork, start whisking to combine flour and egg, slowly incorporating more and more of the flour from the edges of the crater as you go until you’re left with a thick mixture.
- At this stage, the mixture becomes too sticky for the fork so we recommend using your hands (or a dough scraper if you have one) to incorporate the rest of the flour.
- Form the mixture into a ball of dough and begin kneading it.
Kneading the Dough
- To knead, drag the dough forward with your palm, using the other hand to hold it steady. Then pull the stretched dough back over, turn it around and start again. Repeat this process until you’re left with a firm, smooth consistency.
- We recommend 10-20 minutes of kneading to create a nice elastic dough. A good way of checking if you’ve kneaded the dough well is to press your finger into the centre. As you lift your finger away, the dough should spring back up.
Resting the Dough
- Wrap the dough in a tea towel (a more sustainable alternative to cling film) and set aside to rest for about 20-30 minutes at room temperature. This is a good time to prepare the filling for your ravioli.
Rolling the Dough
- Once rested, unwrap the dough and divide it into two pieces. Cover one half with the tea towel to keep it from drying out and set aside. Press the remaining piece of dough into a flat circle using your hands. Next, take a rolling pin and begin rolling out the dough to create a thin sheet. This will take a little while if you’re doing it by hand, so if you have a pasta machine now is the moment to put it to use, however, this is not by any means an essential piece of kit!
- When your pasta sheet, called a sfoglia, is ready, you should be able to see your hand through it.
Shaping the Ravioli
- Even off the edges of your sfoglia and cut it in half so that you have two even strips side by side. Spoon your filling, at even intervals (roughly 5cm apart), down the middle of the first strip. Don’t forget you’ve got another piece of dough to roll out, so only use half of the filling at this stage.
- Wet the edges of the two strips with a pastry brush and place the second strip directly on top of the piece with the filling on. Gently press the dough to eliminate excess pockets of air.
- Seal the dough firmly around the edges and between each lump of filling.
- Now take your ravioli cutter, if you have one, and cut out the individual pieces. We’ve selected a circular shape for these ravioli and if you don’t have a pasta cutter you could use the lid of a jar to make the basic shape of your pasta pieces.
- Ensure each raviolo is tightly sealed so that none of the filling can escape.
Cooking the Ravioli
- Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to the boil. Carefully place your homemade ravioli into the pan and cook for 3 minutes.
- Serve with melted lemon butter and a sprinkling of lightly fried samphire. Buon appetito!
For the Filling:
- Roughly chop your fish fillets and place them in a food processor with the cream, ricotta cheese, egg white and fresh parsley. Blitz until all of the ingredients are mixed well.
- When your pasta sheet is ready, transfer your fish filling into a piping bag with a wide nozzle. Pipe (or spoon) the mixture evenly onto your sheet of pasta dough.
How to serve Cod Ravioli
Like most pasta dishes, cod ravioli is best enjoyed hot and fresh. The delicate flavours of the filling and any accompanying sauce will diminish as the dish cools. Opt for light sauces that complement the cod without overpowering it. For instance, a lemon butter sauce works well as the the bright acidity of lemon cuts through the richness of the cod, creating a refreshing balance. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill adds a touch of colour and brightness.
Cod Ravioli wine pairing recommendation
With its delicate balance of seafood and often subtle creaminess, Cod Ravioli finds a perfect match in Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This crisp and refreshing white wine from Tuscany boasts bright acidity, cutting through the richness of the dish without overwhelming the delicate flavours of the cod. Notes of citrus, almond, and a touch of minerality provide a refreshing counterpoint, while subtle fruitiness adds a delightful complexity.
Indulge in the magic of Venice! Our limited-edition Venetian Carnival menu awaits you, with tantalising dishes like Alfredo Veneziano – our decadent twist on the classic pasta Alfredo, made with buttery Asiago cheese straight from Venice – and exquisite Venetian Style Cod Ravioli. Experience the carnival in-store at one of our restaurants or bring the celebration home with delivery.
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