Crawfish and Mascarpone Ravioli with Wilted Leeks and Artichoke, Oven-Dried Tomato and Brandy Browned Butter
Pasta:
2 cups durum flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 whole eggs plus 1 yolk
Mix flour, oil and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs and mix in one at a time. Knead until it makes a firm and slightly elastic dough (you may need to add a little water in this process). Wrap in plastic and leave on the side.
Filling:
1 pound fresh crawfish tails, drained
12 ounces mascarpone
Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste
In a food processor, purée the crawfish and the mascarpone until a smooth paste is achieved. Season to your liking.
Leeks:
2 large leeks, trimmed of green and biased sliced thin then washed thoroughly
1 cup white wine
2 Tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Place the leeks, butter and wine in a sauce pot and cover. Place over medium to low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are tender – about 20 minutes.
Assembling ravioli:
Roll out sheets of pasta to the number 6 on a pasta machine; use about 1 1/2 Tablespoons of filling for each ravioli. When pressing and sealing, make sure that the seal is tight and that there are no air pockets in the ravioli. You should be able to make 30 ravioli.
Sauce:
About 8 ounces butter
1 pint cherry tomatoes, split and dried in a low oven for 1 to 3 hours
3 artichokes, peeled and trimmed, blanched in lemon water, chilled then cut into eighths
3 ounces brandy
Salt and pepper to taste
In a 10-inch sauté pan, heat the butter over medium flame until it’s golden in color. Add the artichokes and swirl; then add tomatoes and swirl; then add brandy. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
To plate:
Boil the ravioli in 2 batches in a large stockpot in water that isn’t moving too rapidly. Divide the ravioli into 6 bowls (5 per bowl) and place a small amount of wilted leeks in the center. Spoon the sauce over the ravioli, making sure to evenly distribute the contents. Serve immediately.
Serves 6 as an entrée
Bistro Daisy
5831 Magazine St. | 899-6987
BistroDaisy.com
