Who needs Chef Boyardee?

I have a long list of cooking techniques and recipes that I want to try out. On that list, making fresh pasta falls somewhere between tossing my own pizza dough and making homemade marshmallows. They're all things that I'd like to do, but (don't read any further, Giada!) I can assure you I won't be on my death bed lamenting all the fettuccine I never made if I don't manage to get around to it.

Thankfully, there are people who would love nothing more than to send me some gourmet, almost-as-good-as-homemade marshmallows (for a fee, of course). I'm also grateful that the good folks at Barilla keep me well-supplied with pasta. But every now and again, I get a hankering for ravioli. Whether it's stuffed with ground meat, ricotta cheese and basil or pumpkin and nutmeg, nothing says comfort food like a plate full of those little pillows of goodness. Want ravioli tonight? Stop by the grocery store and grab some wonton wrappers. Yes, I said wonton wrappers. They are great when you want the taste and texture (although it's a tad thinner) of ravioli but you don't have the time to make the dough. Just stuff, seal (with a little water and egg as the "glue"), boil for a few minutes and you're good to go! (Be sure to cook/brown the mixture first if it contains meat.) And this is a great (but messy) chance to let the kiddies help out in the kitchen!

Here's one great example:

Easy Ravioli (Or maybe we should call it Easy Wonioli. Or Ravitoni. Too over the top, huh?)
1/2 lb ground turkey (or chicken, beef, etc... or vegetarians can omit increase amount of cheese)
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped (use about half that of dried)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1 egg plus 1/2 tablespoon water, whisked together
1 jar of your favorite marinara
1 pack wonton wrappers

Brown the ground turkey, until no longer pink. At the same time, dump your marinara sauce into a saucepan and get that heating. You should also get a large pot of water going so can boil the ravioli (salt the water well once it's boiling).

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the turkey, ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan, mozzarella cheese, oregano, salt and pepper.

Place filling (teaspoon or so, be careful not to overfill) on one side of wrapper. Brush with egg wash. Fold opposite side over to cover filling to a create a triangle. Press to seal edges and remove air. Place ravioli on a baking tray sprinkled with a little flour (like 1/4 cup or so) to prevent sticking. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ravioli and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Carefully remove the ravioli from the water with a slotted spoon and serve with sauce.

Best dishes!