We’re on to week 4 of the Ingredient Game Challenge. Up this week, filled pastas/noodles and dumplings. I guess that isn’t really an ingredient per se, but a theme or topic, but nevertheless, lots of ideas to choose from — Italian (ravioli, manacotti), central and eastern European (maultaschen, pierogi) and Asian (dumplings, wonton, gyoza, shumai, har gow), Just to name a few! And I purposefully picked this as the week where dumplings could play a roll, given Lunar New Year. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with.
First up for me: Hazelnut-Nutella Ravioli, Chocolate Sauce! Surpised? Yes, I thought that I would throw in an odd-ball right at the beginning. Dessert Ravioli! Totally decadent lunch actually. I might need a sugar-coma nap later, or at least some energy to go for a decent walk!
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature*
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup hazelnut flour/meal
1/2 cup nutella
chocolate sauce, for serving (store bought, or here is my recipe)
whipped cream (optional), for serving
Directions
In the work bowl of your stand mixer, cream together butter, cream cheese, sugar and salt. Add in the flour, hazelnut meal and baking soda, and mix until you have a very cohesive dough. It should be relatively elastic. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 1 hour or overnight.
Heat oven to 375F and line baking sheets with silpat or parchment paper.
Roll dough out 1/8-inch thick and cut into 3-inch rounds. I have a 3-inch cookie cutter, but you can also use a knife or even a glass. Place about 1/2 teaspoon nutella in the center, leaving a 1/3 to 1/2-inch border, pinch together with your fingers or a folk to make a little dumpling. Place on prepared cookie sheets, approximately 2 inches apart.
Bake 14-16 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. Cool on wire rack. Serve, a few to a plate, drizzled with chocolate sauce and whipped cream (optional).
