Real Simple's recent issue has ten ideas for cheese ravioli, and tonight we tried one. Ravioli with peas and crispy bacon is an easy-to-make, tasty and filling recipe that comes together in about 25 minutes, if you're using frozen or fresh ravioli. If you're making the ravioli by hand, well, then it's going to take a lot longer. And, also, I don't have a recipe for making your own cheese ravioli, so you're on your own if that's the route you choose to take. Henry was a bit hesitant at first, not even pointing out the bacon in the dish could get him to take a bite, but later on while reading our books before bed time he ate nearly his entire plate. I got the occasional "Too spicy," comment but the boy kept on eating. Next, we'll be trying the creamy ravioli and pesto gratin. Yum!
Ingredients:
16 to 18 ounces fresh or frozen cheese ravioli
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
6 slices bacon
2 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
10 ounces frozen peas
ricotta salata (we used parmesan because that's what we had in the fridge)
Directions:
Cook ravioli according to the package directions, reserving the pasta water as specified. In a large skillet (I prefer nonstick), cook the bacon until crisp, remove from pan. Pour off all but one to two tablespoons of bacon grease. Add garlic and cook until golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add frozen peas and cook until heated through. Mix in the ravioli and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with bacon and grated cheese. Serve immediately.
Serves 4
20 comments:
Mmmm...bacon and peas, two of my favorite combinations. I also love me some ricotta salata but don't keep it on hand either. Glad to hear the folks at the condo continue to eat so well!
to this day, Elise will not try bacon. :( She does love sausage though.
Mmmmmm.... bacon. Cheese. Peas. More Cheese. There is nothing wrong and so much right with this recipe.
@RHG - you are crazy to be sad she won't try bacon! I mean, this is such a gift! "My child does not want to try a fatty, horrible-for-your-heath product!" Huh?
what can I say -- we like pork in this house and we like to share our food.
ps - and I did not know that pork was substantially worse than any other meat. is it?
Are we including fish in the meat category? Because there are fish that are really good for you and the difference between that fish and bacon would probably hit the "substantially" mark you've set. But in my book, bacon isn't any worse than most of the other completely yummy and tasty things to eat like, for instance, I'm just thinking off the top of my head here, waffles smeared with Nutella and marshmallow cream.
no, I don't consider fish in the meat category. In my life, there is meat, fish, veggies, fruits, beans, pasta/rice/grains, bread, milk, and desserts. Those aren't official food groups, but that's generally what I think through when I am doing my meal planning.
I do believe bacon is generally worse, heath wise, than most other cuts of meat. I do not believe that pork/pig is any worse/better than any other meat (fish is its own category for me, as is poultry).
My point is more that I don't get feeling :( when a child chooses not to try something unhealthy. I am thrilled when Avery likes beans; I am less thrilled when she likes chocolate/sugar/cake/bacon. Shrug. I don't deprive her of the unhealthy items, I just don't get being :( that she doesn't like them.
For example, I was not disappointed when Avery didn't like my Nutella and marshmallow waffle (oh-so-unhealthy). In fact, I am rather thrilled when I offer Avery unhealthy options and she turns them down, both for the sake of her future health and for my selfishness (more for me!).
Yes, poultry is in another category for me, too.
I guess I have a very strong identity with the bond that comes from sharing and enjoying good food together. That is honestly my first thought, not health, when I think about feeding my family. I do think we eat relatively healthfully, especially compared to the average American, but to say that my gut reaction is centered on health would be a lie. That is why I am :( about no bacon.
I applaud and admire your focus on healthy food for Avery.
That makes more sense to me when you note you think of food sharing as a bond. I always think of the health factor before any social bond. In fact, I don't think the social bond has ever occurred to me. That said, I'd wager money that Elise eats more healthfully than Avery. :)
And thus concludes the entirely off-topic debate of the merits of children and bacon consumption.
We got in the habit of allowing Henry to eat pretty much whatever he wanted. It just happens that right now he tends to gravitate towards vegetables and fruits. He's particularly fond of fresh berries. Although, given a chance to have a Nutella and marshmallow cream filled waffle, he'll take it and eat heartily. I believe that a prohibition on bad food can result in a kid who will likely binge or partake of such food when you aren't around to supervise so Henry will always have access to such things. Plus, I like to bake. We'll always have baked goods in the house as long as I'm kicking. And bacon, because it just tastes good.
Christie, we do the same (allow open access) with Elise. The only thing that is off limits is Daddy Juice (beer) or Mommy Juice (wine). Elise gravitates to fresh berries and crackers. At dinner we do require her to eat one bite of everything before she gets her milk with dinner as she is getting less inclined to try things.
Perhaps you have read the same article I did, about the experiment with two different groups of kids and the cookie jar in the middle of the room?
I don't think so. What article is this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/health/healthspecial2/15eat.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&ref=healthspecial2
Read the section "Keeping ‘good stuff’ out of reach". Well, read the whole thing of course (and I am guilty of many of these, blush) but the part I am referring to, is that section.
Thanks for the link. I'll check that out.
That article is the entire reason we never reacted (well as much as was possible) when Avery FINALLY started to eat. And why I don't show that I'm happy when she eats veggies/fruits/whole grains vs less happy when she's chowing down on the other stuff.
We've always kept the stuff that's not horribly messy within reach, but I still have to fight the urge to stop her from eating too many crackers.
@R - also pie. Pie gets it's own category.
mmmm delicious pie.
@D, well if we're gonna go there, let's add a category for cheese too. :)
Yummy! Just has this for dinner tonight. Love Real Simple's recipes!
Post a Comment