Prosciutto and Mushroom Ravioli

If you are up to the task of making fresh pasta, these ravioli are well worth the effort.  The filling is rich and satisfying.  Only a simple sauce is required to finish them off. Serve with a lightly dressed salad of baby greens, and an amazing Italian wine, and you have a fabulous dinner.  Here I served my ravioli with Stolpman Sangiovese.  One of the best Sangioveses outside of Italy, in my opinion!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• One-third pound assorted exotic mushrooms, such as oysters, shiitakes, and/or chanterelles, wiped clean and sliced (about 2 cups)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• One-half pound sliced prosciutto, julienned
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 6 cups water
• 1 sheet (12 inches) square fresh pasta
• 2 tablespoons white truffle oil (available at specialty markets)
• 4 tablespoons (one-half stick) unsalted butter
• 12 fresh sage leaves
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium-size sauté pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and prosciutto, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour into a medium-size mixing bowl. Stir in three-fourths cup of the cheese and let cool completely.
• Place the water in a large saucepan, salt it and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bring to a boil. With a sharp knife, cut the pasta sheet into sixteen 3-inch squares.
• Using your fingers, lightly wet the edges of each square.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon of the mushroom mixture into the center of 8 of the squares. Place the remaining pasta squares over the fillings and press the edges with the tines of a fork to seal.
• Drop the ravioli into the boiling water and cook until they rise to the surface, 3 to 4 minutes, then cook for another 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the ravioli and drain on paper towels.
• Toss the ravioli with the truffle oil in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ravioli to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Serve in a shallow bowl, garnished with the remaining one-fourth cup cheese and the chives.
• As Always, ENJOY!
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