Beets, Basil & Ricotta Ravioli in Orange Sauce

Old memories new recipe.
Beet, Basil & Ricotta Candy Ravioli in Orange Sauce


Have you ever met a person that loves to collection things we might find unimportant but definitely a jewel for them? Well, my dad is that person.


Growing up us a kid, we've witnessed how he collectioned stones, pages of magazines, piece of woods, cartons or tin cans and his great favorite are the calendars. The one that he wants were not the ordinary ones for he has special preference for the ones normally given away as year ender's gift.

When I heard that Italy Magazine is hosting an event on Italian Pasta story, I knew that I need to share this one. This happened long time ago when we were still kids but the good and happy memories are still fresh in my mind. I still remember the day he went back home so proud of his newly acquired calendar. It was a calendar given by a bank that featured different beautiful sceneries of Italy and a bonus recipe at the end. He cut all the pictures and pasted it on his album and told us he may never have enough money to travel abroad but every time he looks at these pictures it will bring him directly to Italy. Poverty has never inhibited my dad to become optimistic in life. That night he tried cooking the recipe on the calendar. My sisters and I saw how he slaughtered the recipe; his ingenuity in the kitchen replaced too many Italian ingredients. Well to cut it short, his pasta recipe was totally disgusting. But we ate it and we were laughing so much teasing him. Oh, those happy childhood memories. Wonderful childhood memories are like oxygen of life. It rejuvenates us, it makes us alive

It’s been long time we wanted to bring our dad to travel to Italy for a vacation but his fragile condition has been holding us back.

Soft ravioli filled with sweetness and flavor inside

Until finally last year we decided for Father’s day to bring him to an Italian restaurant to enjoy that recipe he failed to copy long time ago in our kitchen. According to my sisters he was moved into tears. Was it because of the music serenading him? Was it because of the beautiful Italian ambience? He answered that it’s because he feels lucky to have wonderful children like us. And of course, the ravioli pasta was really really good.


Today is the 40th day since my father died. In our family the 40th day of the death is normally celebrated with a mass in the church and a small gathering at home to feast the day that the soul has finished its journey. It is normally the day symbolizing that the soul have already entered in heaven.

This ravioli pasta recipe is for you dad! Now you know why ravioli pasta is my favorite!

Beet,Basil & Ricotta Candy Ravioli in Orange Sauce

for the dough: 300 g of flour, 4 tbsp of Olive oil, one egg yolk, about half a cup of hot water, some salt

This is my own ravioli dough recipe. I normally use hot water as this help in making my dough more elastic. I mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add the water little by little. You can more or less of the water suggested. Use a ravioli maker if you have one. Or use a rolling pin to flatten the dough and make the shape you prefer. As in my case candy shaped ravioli , prepare about 5 cm by 6 cm rectangular shapes of flattened dough.

for the filling: about 150 g of cooked beetroots chopped, 1 shallot, half a bunch of basil leaves chopped, about a cup of ricotta cheese, 30 g of almond powder, 2 tbsp of olive oil, salt and pepper

I started by sauteing the shallots in about 2 tbsps of olive oil. In a bowl mixed all the ingredients; ricotta, cooked beets, cooked shallots, almond powder, chopped basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste. In the ravioli dough put about a spoon of the filling and seal each ravioli with an egg wash.

for the orange sauce: 110 g of butter and juice of 1 organic orange and its zeste

In a casserole bring to a boil your orange juice together with the zest over medium fire. Then add your butter. Stir the sauce until it thickens. Cut the fire.

I think she's so pretty she deserved a solo shot!

Who said that candies are always sweet they can be savory too....

One last bite for the road!

30 comments:

glamah16 said...

Beautiful memeories and post . No wonder your father was proud! Your a beautiful daughter and honor his memeory.

K and S said...

wonderful memories and post!

Mama Mia said...

that is such a cute idea! I love your blog so much! glad I discovered your blog a few days ago, I went back and read ALL of your entries! You are an amazing cook.

Big Boys Oven said...

this is truely beautiful! something to die for!

tigerfish said...

Your ravioli are like sweets! Yeh, those sweet in traditional candy wrappers!

Susan said...

Adorable little treats, Dhanggit. How skillfully you have told yet another glimpse of life with your dear dad. Quite moving. Thanks for sharing. : }

Deeba PAB said...

How nice a daughter you are to record memories of your Dad in such an evocative manner. Your dad was as mine is...a collector! Who says indeed that candies have to be sweet...your savoury ones are pretty beyond doubt. YOU DESERVE A STANDING OVATION!!!XOXOXO to a wonderful person!!

Proud Italian Cook said...

That was a beautiful post about your Dad, and an equally beautiful dish in honor of him!

maybelles mom said...

What a beautiful entry and what a wonderful thing to tell the world about your dad--and your relationship with him.

Oggi said...

What a moving tribute to your Dad through your beautiful recipe. He must be smiling up in heaven.:)
And thanks for sharing this and the previous healthy recipes. These are just what I need to feed my hubby.:)

Gloria Baker said...

Dhanggit this a beauty post and wonderful food!!! Look sooo yummy!!!! xxxGloria
(Dear Dhanggit remember I sent you my mail if you want to talk some day with me) a big hug dear!!

chriesi said...

Wonderful post and cute dish!

haze said...

Memories that lasts! Everyone loves pasta at home but for the meantime I am setting this aside (sshhh diet) !

Cakespy said...

The fact that they look like wrapped candies only makes it better for me!!! Looks delicious, and I loved hearing the story :-)

Cynthia said...

So tasty, so soft and pillowy and so good. Gotta try!

Anonymous said...

This is a very moving story-- thanks so much for sharing with us. And I do love your candy-shaped ravioli!

Liliana said...

I was moved reading this wonderful tribute to your father. My father also had favourite foods that I often make and remember the good times we had.

Your ravioli look amazing!
I also have added a link to you blog.

ciao..

Beachlover said...

Your're a good daughter who always remember your father when he not with you.God Bless him!!.I salute you to make your own pasta!! I like your simply dough.Thanks for sharing:))

Emily said...

Oh, they're gorgeous! I love your pictures.

Catherine Wilkinson said...

I don't know which is more beautiful...your devotion to your Dad or your devotion to beautiful food. I'm thinking they are intertwined.

test it comm said...

This ravioli sounds really interesting. I like the candy shape!

Manggy said...

Dhanggit, I've never seen your dad but I can totally imagine him so happy in the restaurant. This is such a moving story; thanks for sharing it. My grandfather was such a big fan of Max's Fried Chicken that on my birthday we deferred to his preference instead of what I want and we'd eat there a lot!

Gorgeous ravioli you've made here :) I think the alternate name for candy-shaped stuffed pasta is caramelle :)

x said...

that's the cutest pasta thing ever, ate dhanggit!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post and this is a wonderful tribute to your father! He would've loved seeing, reading and tasting this recipe.
ronell

Suzana said...

Oh wow! Brilliant shots of I'm sure is a delicious meal. I'm yet to try making pasta from scratch... I now feel I should give it a try. I loved the story. Another lovely post. :)

Maya said...

Dhanggit, Can’t stop staring on your shots of this beautifully presented ravioli and by reading what you put in it, just makes me want to have a serving of it.

And most of all, it makes this dish more appealing is your childhood memories with you father .It is really sweet. How wonderful must be, to have a father like him. You‘re luck as he’s to have all of you. It’s wonderful how you cope up to his passing.

Gabi said...

You're lovely and so are these little works of art! Wow so inspiring!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Delicious photos, delicious ingredients. This sounds fabulous.

Sarah said...

I just recently discovered your blog and I just have to let you know how truly moving your stories of your father are. They are really very touching. Thank you so much for sharing them. And your recipes are all, of course, wonderful as well.

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HI,
Creative idea...I like it..Thanks for posting this recipe...