Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Cannelloni

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Cannelloni
Recipe adapted from Anthony Sedlak, The Main

I'm a huge fan of Chef Anthony Sedlak. He's brilliant, charming, handsome and an amazing chef. Ok, I'll admit it, I've got a crush. Try his spinach ricotta cannelloni and you'll fall for him too. This is a bit of work but so worth the effort. Trust me. Enjoy!

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:
Pasta
2 cups semolina
pinch salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp olive oil
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks (reserve whites)

Spinach Ricotta Filling
8 ounces spinach
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups fresh ricotta
1 egg
pinch nutmeg
salt and pepper

Bechamel Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cups milk
salt
freshly ground pepper

Tomato Sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1x710 millilitre jar good quality Italian brand strained tomatoes
1 tablespoon basil, chopped
1 teaspoons rosmary, chopped
salt to taste
pepper to taste
3 egg whites (from pasta dough recipe)
1 cup grated parmesan
1 cup grated mozzarella
extra ricotta (reserved from tub)

Directions:
Pasta
1.Place semolina, salt and olive oil in food processor and pulse.

2.Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, pulsing in between each addition. Continue to process until ingredients are well combined and dough clears the sides of container.

3.Pulse a minute or two to knead the dough.

4.Remove dough from processor, roll into a ball, cover and refrigerate for at least half an hour. When dough is rested, cut into 8 equal pieces.

5.Roll out 4 pieces on pasta machine, according to machine instructions, to thinnest setting. (Remaining dough can be well wrapped and frozen. To use, defrost in fridge overnight and roll out as above.)

6.Cut dough into 4 x 4 in squares; cover with cloth to prevent drying out.

Spinach Ricotta Filling
1.Wash and drain spinach, letting some water cling to spinach leaves. In medium pan, melt butter over medium high heat.

2.Add spinach and cook until leaves are wilted and soft. Season with nutmeg to taste.

3.Drain cooked spinach in a colander, pressing down firmly to remove excess liquid.

4.Finely chop drained spinach and gently combine with egg and ricotta. Season mixture with salt and pepper.

Bechamel Sauce
1.Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit but does not colour, about 2 minutes.

2.Stream milk in, whisking as sauce thickens. Bring to a low simmer.

3.Add salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and cover with clingfilm.

Tomato Sauce
1.Heat olive oil and garlic in a pot over medium heat. Gently fry garlic for a minute; add strained tomatoes.

2.Simmer gently about 10 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in basil and rosemary.

3.Preheat oven to 375. To assemble, lay pasta squares on a lightly floured surface.

4.Using a piping bag or a small spoon, pipe or spoon about 2 tbsp of spinach filling evenly along bottom edge of each square.

5.Brush reserved egg white (from pasta dough recipe) along top edge of square. Gently roll bottom edge up and around to form a tube shape.

6.Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a medium, oven safe dish. Arrange filled cannelloni on top and pour béchamel sauce over. Spoon remaining tomato sauce just to cover.

7.Sprinkle parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses on top and bake until tomato sauce is bubbling and hot around edges, about 15-20 minutes.

13 comments:

Peter M said...

I want this now! I'm fasting again tomorrow and I crave gooey goodness.

Priya Suresh said...

Delicious!!! tempting dish..

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wonderful, especially when it's a 100% homemade!

Cheers,

Rosa

Jamie said...

Oh wow yum! Gorgeous! I want! And I am always looking for fabulous vegetarian recipes like this! Thanks!

Ana Powell said...

Well done, I have never tried to make my own pasta.
Awesome recipe x

veggievixen said...

wowie, i am so impressed that you made your own pasta!! must have made the dish taste 1,000x better.

RJ Flamingo said...

Okay, after Passover, I will finally break out my KA pasta attachment & make this. Moaning...

Lo said...

There is NOTHING (nothing) like homemade pasta -- and the cheese factor in this dish is positively drool-worthy. You've pulled out the big guns here, my dear. I love it!

Maria said...

Homemade pasta is the best-easy and cheap too! Love this recipe!

Dewi said...

Bravo, you made your own pasta. Impressive. No wonder it tasted delicious!

Julie said...

Wow, I think I have a crush too. Or maybe that's just hunger pangs induced by these photos, yikes!

Muneeba said...

This sounds pretty labor intensive BUT completely worth it!

The Food Addicts said...

One of my all time favorite Italian dishes. Good ol' cannelloni if I see it on the menu I am ordering it! :) Better yet make it home. Thanks!

 
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