Discover the Irresistible Santini Sensation to Cook at Home

Get ready to embark on a journey that will make your taste buds dance with delight. 

Santini’s ravioli with ricotta, chestnut mushrooms, and aged pecorino sauce, is a masterpiece crafted by Chef di Cuisine, Dario Pompucci.  

This dish is more than just food — it’s a symphony of flavours and textures that will take your dining experience to new heights. When asked about sharing a recipe, Chef Dario said, “I wanted to choose a recipe that would charm even the most discerning food enthusiasts. This ravioli creation brings together the velvety smoothness of ricotta, the earthy allure of chestnut mushrooms, and the captivating embrace of aged pecorino sauce. It’s a dish that perfectly balances sophistication and playfulness, guaranteed to leave you with a satisfied grin.”You might be wondering if it’s possible to indulge in a culinary experience so decadent”. Try it out for yourself. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

For the Pasta: 

• 300g 00 flour 
• 3 whole large eggs 
• 3g salt 
• 1 tsp olive oil 

For the Ravioli: 

• 1 batch homemade pasta dough 
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• 500g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 
• 2 shallots, finely chopped 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 1 sprig thyme 
• 1 tbsp heaped ricotta 
• 2 tbsp parmesan, freshly grated 
• Salt and pepper to season 

For the Sauce: 

• ½ tbsp olive oil 
• 250ml double cream 
• 2 tbsp pecorino, freshly grated 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 1 pinch nutmeg 
• 1 sprig thyme 
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Ready? Let’s get started with the method: 

1. Preparing the Filling:

• In a medium-sized pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the finely chopped shallots until they turn soft and translucent. 
• Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook them down until they reduce in size and become wonderfully softened. 
• Now, it’s time to incorporate the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Fry everything together for an additional 1-2 minutes, letting the flavours mingle. 
• Set the mushroom mixture aside and let it cool for about 5 minutes. 
• Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a food processor and add the ricotta and freshly grated parmesan. 
• Blitz the ingredients until they come together in a smooth and creamy consistency that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation. 

2. Making the Ravioli:

• Mix the ingredients for the pasta until the dough becomes stiff and smooth. 
• Using a pasta machine, roll out the homemade pasta dough to the third last setting (usually number 7). 
• Lay one sheet of pasta down and place approximately one heaped teaspoon of the mushroom mixture in the middle of the pasta sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each mound. 
• Fold one edge of the pasta over the filling to meet the other edge and seal the sides of the ravioli filling using your fingers. Alternatively, you can place a second sheet of pasta directly on top of the first and seal it with your fingers. 
• Press down with your thumb along the edges to ensure no air is trapped, preventing the ravioli from bursting or becoming wrinkled. 
• Cut the ravioli out either with a ravioli cutter or a pasta cutter and set them aside on a surface lightly sprinkled with semolina or 00 flour. 
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ravioli for approximately 4 minutes. 

3. Preparing the Sauce:

• Heat a little olive oil in a large pan and sauté the chopped garlic for 1 minute. 
• Time to bring in the creamy element: pour in the double cream and watch as it gracefully swirls in the pan. Add the sprig of thyme, a pinch of nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Give it all a gentle stir, making sure the flavours are mingling harmoniously. 
• Let the sauce come to a gentle boil, allowing it to bubble and thicken slightly for about 30-40 seconds. This is where the magic happens! 
• Finally, sprinkle in the freshly grated pecorino, and watch as it melts into the sauce, creating a velvety smoothness that will leave you craving more. 

And there you have it! A culinary creation that embodies the essence of Italian indulgence and captivates with every bite. Come and experience the magic for yourself at Santini Bar & Grill – your taste buds will thank you!