István Csók – Ravioli Caprese

Classified as a filled pasta, ravioli dates back to the 14th century from the writings of Francesco di Marco (1). The word ravioli is similar to the Italian verb ‘to wrap’, riavvolgere, although it is not a derivative. Traditionally, pasta dough is rolled out as thinly as possible and then wrapped around a filling. Italian-Americans pioneered the canned style, often beef in a tomato or tomato-cheese sauce. Growing up as a Midwesterner, the dish was synonymous with the purveyors of the canned variety – Chef Boyardee, an Ohio company dating back to 1924. This recipe offers large ravioli, with three to four equating to a generous dinner. The olive oil, lemon and fresh basil keep the dish light, otherwise the filling pasta becomes a stodgy meal – much like it’s canned counterpart.

István Csók was a Hungarian artist who worked all over Europe in the late-19th and early-20th century. Stylistically, he combined the Naturalism and Impressionism of the French after studying in Paris in the 1880s. Amalfi (1937) was painted later in Csók’s career the same year he held the solo exhibition Fränkel Salon in Budapest. He is one of the select few non-Italian artists who have a self-portrait hanging in the prestigious Uffizi Gallery in Florence (2). Allegedly, Csók also claimed a position within pop culture history through the 1971 film Countess Dracula where his 1896 painting of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory torturing young women can be spotted in the opening credits.

Ravioli Caprese

adapted from the Food Network

Dough:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups hot water

Filling:
3/4 cup ricotta
1 egg
shredded chicken from 1 quarter rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
2 TB fresh basil, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce:
3 TB olive oil
3 TB fresh basil, chopped
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a large bowl, combine the flour and water and stir until a large ball forms. Cover with plastic and let sit for 10 minutes

Meanwhile, combine all of the filling ingredients in another bowl. Stir well and set aside. Divide the dough into four pieces. Flour your work surface and begin to roll out the dough into a long narrow strip, as thin as possible without creating any holes. Once rolled out, spoon 1 TB sized portions of the filling one inch apart down the strip of dough. Fold the dough over the filling and press around it to seal it in the pocket. Cut individual ravioli from the dough and use a fork to crimp the edges.

Bring a large pot to a boil (but not a hard rolling boil) and carefully slide the ravioli into salted water. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the ravioli float. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and place in a large bowl. While still hot, toss with the olive oil, fresh basil and lemon zest. Top with salt and pepper and serve immediately.