European > Romanian

Colțunași with Spinach and Ricotta Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- Large pot for boiling water
- Slotted spoon

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, eggs, water, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Mix until a dough forms.

2. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

3. In another mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cooked spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Mix well.

4. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each part into a thin sheet.

5. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough sheets.

6. Place a teaspoon of the ricotta and spinach filling in the center of each circle.

7. Fold the circle in half and press the edges together to seal.

8. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the colțunași to the boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they float to the surface.

9. Use a slotted spoon to remove the colțunași from the water and transfer them to a serving dish.

10. Serve hot with your favorite sauce.


Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Temperature:
Boiling water
Serving size:
Makes about 30 colțunași

Nutritional information:
Calories: 80
Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 4g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- You can substitute the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or cream cheese.
- You can use fresh spinach instead of cooked spinach.

Variations:
- You can add chopped mushrooms or onions to the filling.
- You can use different herbs and spices to flavor the dough and filling.
- You can make a sweet version of colțunași by filling them with fruit and cream cheese.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to knead the dough well to get a smooth and elastic texture.
- Don't overfill the colțunași to avoid them from bursting while cooking.
- Dust the dough with flour to prevent it from sticking to the surface while rolling it out.

Storage instructions:
- You can store the uncooked colțunași in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- You can freeze the uncooked colțunași for up to 1 month.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat the colțunași, boil them in salted water for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the colțunași on a large platter garnished with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese.

Garnishes:
- Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or thyme
- Grated Parmesan cheese

Pairings:
- Tomato sauce
- Pesto sauce
- Alfredo sauce

Suggested side dishes:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the dough is too dry, add a little more water.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- If the colțunași burst while cooking, reduce the amount of filling.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the colțunași thoroughly to avoid any risk of foodborne illness.

Food history:
- Colțunași is a traditional Romanian dish that is similar to Italian ravioli.

Flavor profiles:
- The colțunași have a savory and creamy filling with a hint of nutmeg. The dough is flavored with herbs and spices.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the colțunași as a main dish or as an appetizer.

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Region: Romanian

Taste: Savory, Creamy, Cheesy, Herby, Garlicky, Earthy