Savory ricotta balls

I had another one of those mornings where I wake up extra early. 

My eyes popped open at the pre-dawn hour of 4:30 am. I know, crazy, right?

I should have known it was way too early when the dogs didn't bother to wake up and follow me into the kitchen.

I already had one cup of coffee before I bothered to look at a clock - and by then there was no point trying to get back to sleep:(((


But, I consoled myself by making these:

Savory ricotta balls.

I mixed 1 cup of ricotta with 1/2 an egg yolk, chopped fresh parsley, matzo meal, 1/4 cup of blue cheese, a pinch of ground pepper and a pinch of salt.

I rolled them into balls about the size of a walnut.

I rolled them first in some flour, then some egg yolk and finally in some matzo meal.

Ready to go into the pan.

I started by searing them in a pan on medium high heat - but they started getting too brown so I finished them in a 375 degree oven for 7 minutes.

With a side of steamed asparagus.

They turned out crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. The slightly sweet ricotta paired perfectly with the pungent blue cheese.

I also had some strawberries but I forgot to take a picture of those.

Oh, and I broke out the french press today for my coffee.

Have a great Wednesday!!

Bottomless hats

I bought these on my trip:

Sombreroni pasta.

I boiled them in salted water for 4 minutes, then I put them on a paper towel to drain.

I combined 2 cups of ricotta with one beaten egg, chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.

This mixture went into the little hats.

The stuffed hats in a pan lined with tomato sauce.

All covered in sauce.

Parmesan on top.

Cover with tinfoil and pop into a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Hot out of the oven.

 I also made garlic bread for one:

One dinner roll cut in half.

Minced garlic and melted butter spread over the roll.

Some parmesan on top.

 

I put the rolls under the broiler for 5 minutes.

As I was eating my dinner, I was contemplating why someone would make a hat pasta that was so difficult to stuff when I spied something at the bottom of the bag.

Yes, there are bottoms for the hats - Doh!!!

Oh, well, it still tasted delicious - I will use the hat bottoms next time :-)