Pasta is, at present, a basic food in our diet. Originally from Italy, since it arrived in our country it has become an essential food. In addition to enchanting all palates due to its versatility and flavor. And when we talk about versatility, we are not only referring to the infinite number of recipes that we can elaborate with pasta, but to the hundreds of types of pasta that exist, one of the most appreciated being stuffed pasta, such as Tortellini, among many others. Besides, they celebrate their day every February 13, so join us to celebrate Tortellini Day, you will love it!
But let’s start by knowing a little more about this pasta, because, among so many types, maybe we can get confused.
Tortellini is a variety of stuffed pasta that consists of a dough, made of flour and egg, rolled and joined at the ends. In such a way that it creates a kind of ring. The most common is to find them filled with meat and cheese. Although we can find them with many other fillings. In the same way, the traditional way to eat them is in broth, like a soup. However, we can also serve them with any kind of sauce (although this is criticized by the purists).
Did you know that there are larger Tortellini? They are called Tortelloni, and are usually filled with ricotta and parsley.
Tortellini Day
Tortellini Day was created by the U.S. Pasta Manufacturers Association in 2000. Italian food has always had a great acceptance and a great impact there. So they wanted to establish a day in the calendar to commemorate this type of pasta. And thus, give greater visibility and fame to Tortellini.
Celebrate Tortellini Day with this great recipe for homemade Tortellini
As with any gastronomic event, the best way to celebrate this day is with a good plate of homemade Tortellini. Although it is true that we can find them in many supermarkets or grocery stores, in the fresh pasta section. However, since it is a special day, what less than to make them ourselves.
Well, as you will see in the recipe, they are not at all complicated to make. They only require a little practice to work the dough, which only contains flour and egg. The proportion to elaborate all kinds of fresh egg pasta is 100g. of flour for each medium egg. Although, this proportion can vary depending on the type of flour or the size of the egg. So, if we see that the dough is too sticky, we will have to add more flour. But we will do it carefully, adding very little so as not to overdo it.
If, on the other hand, the dough is too dry, we can add a little water to knead it well.
When the dough is ready, let it rest for half an hour, wrapped in plastic wrap.
We continue shaping the tortellini. To do this we have to flatten the dough very well. We can do it with a rolling pin, in the most traditional way; or we can use a fresh pasta press if we have one. But don’t worry if you don’t have it, we can do it perfectly well with the rolling pin, although we will have to be more constant.
The perfect thickness of the pasta is when we can see slightly through it. That is, when the sheet we are working with is transparent, we can begin to cut the tortellini and fill them.
Now that we have seen some general points, let’s see the recipe step by step to celebrate Tortellini Day.
Recipe for Homemade Meat Tortellini
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 300 g Flour for pasta
- 3 eggs
For the filling
- 200 g Minced meat of your choice, pork, veal, mixed….
- 150 g Bacon
- 150 g Parmesan
- 1 egg
- Provençal herbs
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
We begin with the stuffing, so that it rests and all the flavors mix well.
- In a large frying pan, with a drizzle of oil, put the minced meat and the bacon, also finely chopped. Cook until the meat is to our taste. Remove to a large bowl.
- Add the cheese, egg, spices and salt and pepper. Mix well and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest until the dough is ready.
For the dough
- We continue with the dough. We put the flour on a wide and smooth table, in the form of a volcano.Add the previously beaten eggs in the middle of the volcano. We go mixing, taking the flour from the outside to the eggs. We repeat the process until we obtain a consistent dough, moment in which, we can begin to knead with the hands.
- We have to knead until we get a smooth dough, with a fine texture. Then, cover it with cling film and let it rest on the table for half an hour.
- To smooth the dough we can do it in the traditional way, with a rolling pin; or with a pasta machine if we have one. But, above all, we must try to make the dough as thin as possible, even transparent.We extend the dough well, smooth it with a rolling pin until it has the desired thickness and cut it into squares. It will be enough to have between 3 and 4 centimeters on each side.
- Now that we have cut the squares, we are going to fill them. We put a little bit of filling in each one and close diagonally, and then join the two corners that have been left loose. So that they acquire that typical appearance of tortellini, in the shape of a ring.When we have finished filling all the tortellini, we continue with the cooking.
- In a pot with plenty of water add a handful of salt and a dash of oil. We bring to boil.
- As soon as the water starts to boil, add the tortellini, being careful not to break them; and let them cook until they start to float, when they will be ready.You will see that just a few minutes of cooking is enough.When they float, remove them with a skimmer and serve with the sauce of your choice.Now we have ready some wonderful tortellini completely homemade.
How to serve your Tortellini
You can accompany them with the sauce of your choice, or cook them in meat broth instead of water and serve them with the broth; like a soup, as in the traditional recipe.
Some ideas for the filling
Tortellini can be stuffed with all kinds of fillings, vegetables, meat, fish… For example, the most typical ones are those filled with meat and cheese. And, instead of being served with sauce, they are cooked in meat stock and served with broth. As if it were a soup.
Regardless of how we serve them, let’s see some ideas for the filling. For example, we can fill them only with cheese. With the one we like the most or with a combination of our favorite cheeses.
We can also stuff them with all kinds of meat, such as pork loin, ham, chicken, minced beef…
If you prefer them with vegetables, try them with a stuffing of eggplant, spinach, asparagus… Remember to use your imagination, as they can be stuffed with all kinds of fillings. And, of course, don’t forget the fish fillings, such as tuna or salmon.
Origin of Tortellini
As with all popular recipes, the origin of tortellini is not entirely clear. Just as its creator is unknown, as there are two legends about how this recipe originated.
However, what is clear is that the origin of the Tortellini is in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna, in the city of Bologna, around the 16th century.
The first of the legends tells that the origin of this dish was thanks to two servants who worked for a noble family. At that time, food was not scarce in the most humble families. Quite the opposite of what happened in the houses of high nobility. Therefore, the servants learned to use all the leftovers of the nobles they served to feed themselves.
In this way it occurred to them to wrap the meat that the nobles left in a paste made with flour and egg. So that the leftovers of meat would be more delicious, thus tortellini were born.
The second story, or legend, tells of the owner of an inn, who fell madly in love with one of his clients. A young and beautiful woman, a marquise, full of elegance and sweetness. The owner of the inn, fascinated by her beauty, decided to spy on her through the lock on the door of her room. But, in this way, he only got to see her navel, which inspired him to create this ring-shaped stuffed pastry.
And, after seeing a great recipe and knowing the history of tortellini, we finish celebrating their day. Do you want to celebrate it too? If you liked it, remember to leave us your comments, ideas, tips… We love to read them!
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