Homemade Ravioli recipe
how to make fresh pasta

Ingredients:

• plain flour - 10oz (300g)
• salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• olive oil - 1.5 tablespoons
• eggs - 2, beaten
• milk or water - 3-4 tablespoons

Savoury Meat Ravioli filling

• cooked chicken or ham - 1 cup (chopped or minced finely)
• thick béchamel or tomato sauce - 2 tablespoons (enough to bind the meat)
• mixed herbs or parsley - 3 teaspoons chopped
• 1 egg yolk - 1

Directions:

1. Sift the flour and salt directly onto your working surface, we are not going to use a bowl.

2. Make a dip (or well as it is known) in the center, and pour in the oil, beaten eggs and half the milk or water.

3. Using your fingers gradually draw the flour into the liquid in the center, adding more milk or water as it is needed. Different flours will take up a varying amount of liquid so you may need slightly less or more than I have given above.

4. Continue kneading the paste together until you end up with a firm, smooth pasta dough.

5. Then cover with a cloth and leave it for 20-30 minutes to rest, while you make your choice of filling (see below).

6. Next, cut the dough in half and put one aside. Roll out the first piece very thinly. Do the same with the second piece of pasta dough (you will need plenty of room on your work top!).

7. Taking your filling, use a teaspoon to put little piles of filling at even intervals onto one piece of the homemade ravioli dough. Using a pastry brush, moisten the dough between all the piles of filling. Then carefully lift the second piece of dough and lay it on top. Press down to form a little enclosed parcel around each piece of filling.

8. Using a Pastry Wheel or knife, cut your pasta into squares. Leave for 2-3 hours to dry out a little before cooking.

To make the Savoury Meat Filling

Mix everything together and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don't make the mixture too runny!

How to cook your homemade ravioli

Simmer your ravioli squares in stock or water for 15-20 minutes. Drain. Then pour in some tomato sauce and continue to simmer gently until the pasta is just tender.