Frittata di spinaci e ricotta

I thought I would quickly share this recipe with you, as I was impressed with this colourful little number. In fact, it will probably take me longer to upload this recipe, than it takes to make to the frittata. That is how simple it is.

Today, I had quite a few eggs remaining and had also been asked to make something light, so a frittata came to mind.

Obviously you can add whatever ingredients take your fancy, also depending on what is available in season. I am a lover of ricotta, and will add spinach to anything for a superfood hit. The roast tomatoes not only add colour but add sweet flavour, and I found these gorgeous zucchini flowers at the market, which always add a wow factor (now I am already thinking that the next frittata will include zucchini flowers, ricotta and anchovies.....hmmmm yum)!!!

What you will need:

one large onion

300g ripe cherry tomatoes 

100g fresh spinach leaves

150g fresh ricotta (I used sheep`s ricotta)

handful of fresh basil leaves

three zucchini flowers 

six eggs

olive oil

salt and pepper 

how to make:

1: in a medium size pan add finely diced onion, salt and olive oil: fry until light and translucent. add tomatoes and cook until they become soft. add spinach to the pan and cook until  wilted 

2: transfer vegetable mix to a ceramic dish lined with baking paper. tear basil leaves, add zucchini flowers, and top with the ricotta 

3: in a separate bowl lightly beat eggs, season with salt and pepper. pour gently over vegetables

4: place in a pre heated 180 degree oven and cook for roughly 25 minutes or until cooked 

#frittata #ricotta #eggs #recipe #spinach #tomatoes #basil 

Cannoli Siciliani (Sicilian Cannoli)

I don't even know how to describe my love for these little treasures.  For me when I eat them they remind of many fond childhood memories.  To this day, not only do I eat them with fondness and  nostalgia, I truly enjoy the flavour.  The crisp outer pastry filled with creamy ricotta mixed with tangy fruit peel, nuts and chocolate is truly a wondrous combination. There is nothing more Sicilian than "cannoli" however each household varies the ingredients slightly (some omit the nuts and fruit peel).  Today I am sharing with you a recipe that I hold close to my heart, and a recipe I helped make on many occasions with my boyfriends Nonna!  I had barley more than a few euros in my pocket on my first trip to Sicily many years ago, however I made sure I bought myself a 'cannoli'.  It did not disappoint! The streets in Sicily are lined with pastry shops selling mountains of 'cannoli' decorated in various ways, all as equally beautiful and colourful.  To me eating a 'cannolo' is a symbol of family, celebration and love and needs to be shared with others. Although lengthy to prepare they are actually quite simple to make and so rewarding.    Enjoy with a nice strong coffee or a glass of sweet desert wine (although sometimes we would have grappa)!

What you need:

To make the cannoli:

250g white flour tipo 00

30g white wine vinegar

30g marsala wine

30g icing sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

5g cocoa powder

one egg

50g lard

For the filling:

750g ricotta cheese

300g icing sugar

1/4 cup candied mixed orange peel

1/4 cup pistachio nuts chopped

75g 70% cocoa dark chocolate finely chopped

Peanut oil for frying

How to make:

1:  Sift flour, icing sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa into a large bowl, make a well in the centre.

2: Add lard  to the centre of flour combination and mix in with finger tips.  Pour in the marsala and white wine vinegar, use finger tips to combine, then transfer to bench top and lightly knead together.  Once kneaded to a ball, wrap in cling wrap and place n fridge for 1/2 hour.

3: To prepare the ricotta mix place the ricotta in sieve and push through with a metal spoon.  This will help give the ricotta a creamier texture.  Sift and stir through icing sugar.

4: Add the chopped fruit peel, chopped nuts and chocolate to ricotta mix.  Place in fridge until ready to use.

5: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the dough as thin as possible.  Use a large round cutter to cut roughly 16 circles.

6: Take one circle and wrap around a metal "cannoli" tube.  Use a little milk wash to join overlapping dough.  Continue process until all circles have been wrapped (or take in turns depending on how many "cannoli" tubes you own).

7: Place 4 'cannoli" tubes into pre-heated peanut oil for approximately 1-2 minutes.  Remove dough from metal tubes and allow to cool on absorbent paper.  Be careful of your hands, the tubes will be extremely hot

8: Once all of the "cannoli" have been cooked and cooled use a piping bag to fill the "cannoli" with the ricotta mix.

9: Finally to decorate place one glazed cherry at one end and a thinly sliced orange peel at the other.  Alternatively, you can  dip in finely chopped chocolate or pistachio nuts.
10: Dust lightly with icing sugar

Buon Apetito!

Ravioli nudi (naked ravioli)

                            

The soft texture of these delightful little parcels deliver such a delicate flavour. I made these with a friend and they were so much fun to make together as we laughed and made mess whilst assembling.  Ravioli nudi is essentially "ravioli senza pasta" (without pasta).  Not adding pasta to this dish makes for a much lighter course, perfect as a first course.  We opted to serve this with a simple tomato sauce as we have seen in local restaurants in Tuscany, however traditionally they can also be served with a simple butter and sage sauce. I first discovered these moist delights in Florence as was instantly hooked. Ricotta is one of my weaknesses and spinach is so good for you (that`s how I can justify it)! Top with some freshly grated aged parmesan cheese and you have a winner of a plate!

What you need:

Two kilos of fresh spinach

500 fresh cow’s ricotta

Two eggs

150g fresh grated Parmesan cheese

One teaspoon of fresh grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Half cup of flour

For a quick tomatoes sauce:

Two cans of Italian tomatoes

One onion

¼ cup Italian extra virgin olive oil

Two garlic cloves

Salt and pepper

How to make:

1: Clean and wash the spinach, then cook for about ten minutes in a saucepan with just a small amount of water and salt.

2: When the spinach has cooled squeeze out all of the excess water and chop finely, set aside

3: In a large bowl combine the ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, two tablespoons of flour, nutmeg and salt and pepper.  The mixture will be sticky but make sure it is possible to form balls, if not add more flour.  Taste mixture and add more nutmeg, salt and pepper if needed

4: Form the mixture into small balls roughly 2-3cm in diameter, then coat the balls in flour and set aside until you have completed all of the ravioli

5:  Boil ravioli in boiling salted water until they are cooked.  They are ready when they rise to the surface of the water, roughly ten minutes

6: Serve with your favourite sauce immediately. 

7: Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese

How to make the sauce:

1: Cut the onion and garlic finely, and then cook in olive oil on a low heat until soft and translucent.  Add a little salt to the pan to prevent the onion and garlic from over cooking.

2: Add the canned tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and simmer for about twenty minutes

3: Use a blender to puree the mixture to desired consistency

Buon apetito