Egg Yolk Pasta (Uova da Raviolo) with Cilantro Pesto Recipe

Egg Yolk Pasta (Uova da Raviolo) with Cilantro Pesto Recipe

  • Cilantro Pesto:
  • 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro leaves and soft stems
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons toasted almonds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons plain non-fat yogurt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pasta:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour, or as needed
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • Filling:
  • 1 cup light ricotta cheese
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 teaspoons water
  1. Place cilantro leaves, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, toasted almonds, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Pulse until mixture becomes a paste-like pesto, 6 or 7 pulses.
  2. Mix all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour together in a bowl. Mound flour on a work surface such as a large wooden cutting board. Create a well in the center of the flour; add 4 eggs and 1/2 teaspoon olive oil into the middle of the well. Beat the eggs and olive oil and gradually begin incorporating the flour a little at a time using a fork, lifting flour up from the sides until most of the flour is incorporated into the eggs. Shape into a ball. Knead dough until it is elastic, 5 to 10 minutes, adding additional flour if it is too sticky.
  3. Roll dough out into a large rectangle about 1/16 inch thick. Cut into 8 6×6-inch squares.
  4. Mix ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheeses together in a small mixing bowl. Transfer to a piping bag or plastic bag (cut a small piece off a corner of the bag). Pipe a small circle of cheese mixture large enough to hold an egg yolk in the middle of 4 of the dough squares. Place an egg yolk in the center of each circle.
  5. Mix 1 egg white and 2 teaspoons water together in a small bowl. Brush egg wash on edges of the pasta squares outside the egg yolk circle. Carefully place remaining 4 pasta squares on the egg yolks. Gently seal edges and try to eliminate any air pockets. Use a 6-inch round cookie cutter to remove the corners of the squares. Press edges of ravioli with tines of a fork to strengthen the seal.
  6. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil; reduce heat to medium-high so water is just simmering. Carefully transfer ravioli to water; gently stir. Cook until pasta is tender, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on 4 warm serving plates. Serve topped with a spoonful of pesto.