Ravioli with Gorgonzola Mascarpone and Walnuts

Delicate, yet savory, structured yet light, Ravioli with a Gorgonzola, Mascarpone and Walnut sauce is simple dish that will impress your most demanding guest. This dish has its origins in the 1300s and is still served today in the annual festivities of Narni. Narni is located close to Rome and because of its strategic position it was conquered several times over the centuries as the various invaders laid siege to Rome.

This influenced the traditional plates of the area particularly introducing Gorgonzola, a cheese with origins in Milan, into the sauce. There is a version that uses the Ravioli di Magro or filled with ricotta and spinach but there is also a version that adds ground walnut into the filling.

The true diva of this recipe is the sauce. Instead of ravioli, try tortellini, pennette, bowtie, or penne pasta.

Ingredients for 4 people:

Pasta
400 g. Ravioli, tortellini, pennette, penne, bowties, or other short pasta.

Sauce
5 ¼ oz (150 g.) Gorgonzola
3 ¼ oz (90 g.) Mascarpone
3 ¼ oz (90 g.) Parmesan Cheese grated
5 ¼ oz (150 g.) - by weight not by volume - shelled walnuts

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 3 tablespoons of medium sized salt. If using dried pasta such as penne then begin cooking the penne in abundant salted boiling water. It will take somewhere between 7-11 minutes (check the box). If using fresh pasta such as ravioli or tortellini place the pasta in the water once you have chopped the Walnuts as they will take about 3-4 minutes.

Finely chop the walnuts. In a mixing bowl, stir together the Gorgonzola, Mascarpone and Parmesan cheese. Once melted add 6 tablespoons of the hot pasta water and stir in the walnuts. The hot water will bring everything together. If the Gorgonzola does not meld with the other cheeses add one tablespoon of hot water at a time. Be sure not to dilute the cheese sauce too much.

Strain the pasta, pour the pasta into the sauce and stir delicately then place directly into the dinner plates and serve immediately.

Tags: Food and Wine Recipes Travel Ravioli Italy