A harmonious dish featuring tender ricotta dumplings paired with buttered peas and asparagus, garnished with fresh herbs and shaved Parmesan or pecorino cheese.
Eggs, lightly beaten
each
to taste
Black Pepper, freshly cracked
to taste
All Purpose Flour, sifted
cups
Unsalted Butter, melted
tablespoons
Olive Oil, extra virgin
tablespoons
Leek, thinly sliced
cups
Asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces
0 oz
Peas, fresh or frozen
cups
Pea Shoots
0 oz
Flat Leaf Parsley, fresh leaves
0 oz
Parmesan Cheese, shaved
0 oz
1. Prepare Ricotta Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the whole-milk ricotta with the eggs. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and a crack of black pepper. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined, forming a lumpy but cohesive mixture.
2. Cook Leeks, Asparagus, and Peas
In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add thinly sliced leeks and cook until translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes until just tender.
3. Boil and Cook Dumplings
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Using a spoon, form the ricotta mixture into dumplings and drop them into the boiling water. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface and puff up. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked dumplings to the skillet with the leeks, asparagus, and peas.
4. Combine and Garnish
Toss the dumplings gently with the vegetables over medium heat. Add pea shoots and toss until just wilted. Serve the dish sprinkled with parsley leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese, and a final drizzle of olive oil.
Opt for fresh, whole milk ricotta for a creamier texture and richer flavor. Drain if very wet.
Blanch in boiling water, then shock in ice water to lock in color and texture.
Stir the dumpling dough gently to avoid developing gluten and creating tough dumplings.
Roll dumplings into uniformly sized pieces to ensure even cooking, using a small cookie scoop for consistency.
Brown the butter slightly for a nutty flavor, but watch closely to prevent burning.
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