Come Dine With Me Mushroom Ravioli with Homemade Pasta

Oh, what to make for my starter on Come Dine With Me? Goat toasts? Grilled chilli shrimp? Crab cakes? No, it had to be something out of this world, something amazing... something difficult, yet spectacular, kind of like me! Yeah, I'm a bit difficult sometimes... just sayin'.

And then it hit me (like a barn door)! What impresses like nothing else? What is difficult enough that most won't attempt it, or at least won't have the tenacity to keep trying until they get it right?  Yep, this would be killer, this would be the recipe that would knock their socks off... homemade mushroom ravioli using homemade pasta! It's not easy, it tastes amazing, not to mention the texture and bite is incomparable.

First, we start with a few easy ingredients. Mushrooms, mascarpone (or cream cheese), garlic, butter and thyme. Frankly, this is so easy, you could make it off the top of your head.

Easiest recipe ever, feel free to be casual with this one, you can't mess it up.

Chop a small container of mushrooms, 2 garlic cloves, and saute in a medium skillet over medium heat in a nice size chunk of butter.  Add a few sprigs of thyme and some salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are very tender but don't let them get hard or dry- like some people on Come Dine With Me (who shall remain nameless!). When mushrooms have cooled, add in small carton of mascarpone or cream cheese. Start out adding half the package, taste (a lot) and  when it's to your liking,  you're done! Let this mixture cool, while you try your hand at homemade pasta.

For the pasta, you will need 107 grams of double oo flour and 1 egg. Dump the flour in a small pile on your countertop, make a little well in the middle and add one egg. Next, start incorporating the flour, a bit at a time from the outside to the inside. When you have a chunk of dough, knead over and over until the dough feels stretchy and pliable.

Next, separate your dough into 4 balls. Keep these covered as you work with individual pieces. Start on your smallest setting, and run each piece through a pasta machine 4 times.

 Lay the pasta sheets out on the counter, and make sure to cover each one with a clean cloth. Next, place a large spoonful of mushroom mixture on the dough and continue at 2 inch intervals. 

Now, place another sheet over the mushrooms in order to create the ravioli. Using a bit of water, moisten the edges, press down to create a seal and cut out to create the most fabulous ravioli you've ever had.

Now, drop the ravioli into gently boiling water, and boil for about 3 minutes. Carefully drain, place on serving plates and top with your choice of sauce.  Butter and garlic are very nice. Serve and wait for pure adulation. You're gonna get it, I promise. 

Try this recipe, and keep on trying till you get it right. You won't regret it, I promise!