Handmade ricotta ravioli
Plus resting time
Ingredients
300g 00 pasta flour, plus extra for dusting
3 eggs, preferably golden yolks
1 x 250g tub ricotta
40g Parmesan, finely grated
4 tbsp finely chopped chives or spring onion
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
For the pesto
100g pistachio kernels
Leaves from a 50g bunch basil
50g Parmesan, grated
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
100ml olive oil
Method
Step
Place 300g 00 pasta flour in a large bowl then make a well in the centre. Crack in 3 eggs and, using a fork, gradually incorporate the eggs into the flour to make a firm dough (alternatively, use a food processor). Tip out onto the work surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until smooth and silky-textured. Cover and leave to rest for 30 minutes.
Step
Meanwhile, make the filling: drain any liquid from the 250g tub of ricotta and place the cheese in a bowl. Add 40g finely grated Parmesan, 4 tbsp finely chopped chives or spring onion, zest of 1 lemon (keep the juice for serving) and plenty of seasoning, and mix well together.
Step
Next, make the pesto. Lightly toast 100g pistachio kernels in a frying pan until golden then tip onto a plate and leave to cool. Using either a pestle and mortar or a small food processor, grind together 50g basil leaves, 50g grated Parmesan and 1 finely chopped garlic clove, then gradually work in the nuts and 100ml olive oil to make a creamy paste. Season to taste.
Step
Cut the pasta dough into four pieces so it's easier to work with. Pat the dough out to a thickness of around 1cm then, starting with the widest setting, run one piece of dough through the pasta machine (keep the rest covered to prevent drying out). Repeatedly pass the dough through the machine, working down to the thinnest setting. Dust the machine and the work surface with semolina or flour as you go to prevent sticking or tearing.
Step
Cut one sheet of pasta in half so you have two equal lengths. Lay out on a well-floured work surface, then spoon heaped teaspoons of the filling, spaced 5cm apart, over one of the pasta sheets. Brush the pasta around the filling with water. Gently lift the second pasta sheet over the fillings, and use the side of your hand or fingertips to press the pasta together around the fillings to seal while aiming to ensure there's no trapped air.
Step
Stamp out the ravioli using a 5cm cutter (a cookie cutter is fine) or cut into squares with a sharp knife. Lay out in a single layer, on trays or cotton tea towels dusted with semolina or flour, repeating and re-rolling the trimmings to make 20-24 ravioli.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Sir David Attenborough names golden eagle chick
Sir David Attenborough has named the first young golden eagle to fly the nest from a special conservation project in named the baby eaglet "Princeling" - meaning young prince. The broadcaster and naturalist who turned 99 years old in May says he chose the name because it symbolises new hope for the restoration of the species and called the moment a "wonderful achievement".The project is part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to increase their numbers throughout the of the bird's hatching this spring was kept secret until he was ready to fly the nest in a bid to protect his safety and welfare. He was satellite-tagged by licensed experts in June. Princeling's mother was moved from the Scottish highlands to the South of Scotland in 2021, where there was a low population of golden eagles. Princeling's arrival brings the number of golden eagles soaring in the south of Scotland to over 50, the most seen in the region for three hundred David said: "Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle."After the mother Eagle was moved, it paired with a male eagle that already lived in the new area. The conservation charity says this shows that golden eagles that are moved, can integrate successfully into local populations. The conservation project will now be expanded to England and Wales to to increase golden eagle numbers across the golden eagle is the UK's second-largest birds of prey, and disappeared in England in the 19th century because of last native golden eagle, which lived alone on a reserve in the Lake District, disappeared in the latest news, the chief executive of RUN, Dr Cat Barlow, said: "Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully."
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Garden owners urged to buy ‘spacious' outdoor shed with over £100 off at Argos for autumn storage
Getting organised isn't just about inside the home, because if you've got garden space, you'll need somewhere to store everything. The Keter Manor Pent Outdoor Garden Storage Shed is a popular choice, and it's currently on offer, reduced from £345 to £241.50 at Argos. Keter Manor Pent Outdoor Garden Storage Shed £241.50, was £345 While a garden shed is handy to have anyway, as we inch towards the autumn, it could become more of an essential. After spending lots of time outside during the warmer months, many households will have acquired furniture and outdoor accessories. Some items need to be protected to remain in their best condition, which is where a shed comes in - and the Keter Manor Pent Outdoor Garden Storage Shed is great for storage. Although it may appear compact - it measures 6ft by 4ft which is ideal for small gardens - shoppers are describing it as 'spacious'. The shed is made from plastic, but has a wood-effect to avoid looking too unnatural amongst greenery. If you're a keen gardener, you could use it to store all your tools, lawnmower and strimmer. Not only is it great for keeping the garden tidy, but it also helps avoid trudging mud into the house, and keeps expensive electricals out of sight. For security, you can lock the shed, but you do need to add a padlock. Over 700 Argos shoppers have left their feedback on the Keter shed, with one saying: ''The shed design and colour is good and it's very spacious so we can put all the ground tools in. Another shopper commented: ''Very pleased with the shed looks good on the patio.'' ''Like most people have said it is quite difficult to put the roof up.'' ''But it is worth it for the end result.'' A third was full of praise, adding: ''Good quality, easy instructions, totally waterproof - so good I now have two.''
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
He was a pilot grievously wounded with 72 injuries after sinking a U-boat. Now, the only surviving WWII VC holder has died at 105 - and the story of his courage holds as powerful a message today as ever: LORD ASHCROFT
For more than eight decades, his name was synonymous with duty, loyalty, sacrifice, humility and, above all else, courage. Now Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, the last recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) to fight in the Second World War, has died at the grand age of 105. His passing, announced at the weekend, marks the end of an era. It seems appropriate that Flt Lt Cruickshank VC gave his final breath as the world was preparing to commemorate Victory over Japan (VJ) Day 2025 – marking the final conclusion of the 1939-45 war 80 years ago. Cruickshank was – and is – significant in so many ways: the last surviving recipient of a VC for an action in the air and the last living Scottish recipient of a VC, the most prestigious gallantry award that Britain and the Commonwealth can offer. In May 2020 he became the first VC recipient to reach the age of 100. Yet the fact that this brave Scot lived beyond the age of 24 was in itself remarkable. For that's how old Cruickshank was when, in July 1944, he carried out a quite remarkable act of bravery stretching over several hours above the freezing waters of the Arctic. In attacking, and eventually destroying, a German U-boat from the air, Cruickshank received no fewer than 72 separate injuries, including two wounds to his lungs and ten to his lower limbs. He almost bled to death. John Alexander Cruickshank was born in Aberdeen on May 20, 1920, the son of James Cruickshank, a civil engineer, and his wife Alice. He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, followed by the Royal High School and Daniel Stewart's College in Edinburgh (today known as Stewart's Melville College). In 1938, Cruickshank was apprenticed into the Commercial Bank of Scotland. The following year, he joined the Territorial Army Gunners, joining the 129th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery at the outbreak of war. In June 1941, Cruickshank transferred to the Royal Air Force and, after training in Canada and the United States of America, received his pilot's 'wings'. Then, in March 1943 he joined No 210 Squadron of anti-submarine flying boats based on the Shetland Islands. It was on July 17, 1944, that an RAF Catalina with a ten-man crew took off from RAF Sullom Voe. The pilot and captain was Flying Officer Cruickshank, by now, a veteran of 47 sorties. The task was to help provide anti-submarine cover for the British Home Fleet – the Royal Navy's main European force – returning from Operation Mascot. This was an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the German battleship Tirpitz, then moored in Altafjord near Norway's North Cape. When a U-boat was sighted on the surface of the Norwegian Sea, F/O Cruickshank immediately turned to attack it. A German submarine was a great prize for any Allied air crew. Despite anti-aircraft fire, he manoeuvred his aircraft to drop depth charges from a height of only 50ft above the water, but the charges failed to release. Cruickshank knew he had lost the element of surprise and that the gunners aboard the submarine were now prepared. Yet he resolved to approach the U-boat a once again. As F/O Cruickshank and his crew came in for a second time, they were hit by intense and accurate enemy fire. The navigator/bomb aimer was killed. The second pilot and two other members of the crew were wounded, as was Cruickshank himself. Despite his serious injuries, Cruickshank pressed home the attack and released the depth charges himself, hitting the submarine directly and causing her to sink. Yet the Catalina was so badly damaged that it was filled with the fumes of exploding shells. And the surviving crew were more than five hours from their Shetland base, trapped in an aircraft that seemed unlikely to make it. Cruickshank headed to the safety of a fog bank, where he calmly assessed the situation before turning back home. The aircraft's radar was out of commission. Fuel was leaking from damaged pipes. Shrapnel holes in the fuselage were stuffed with life jackets and canvas engine covers. Cruickshank's wounds were so serious that he collapsed at the controls, leaving second pilot, Flight Sergeant Jack Garnett – whose injuries were less severe – to take over for a time. Recovering his composure shortly afterwards, Cruickshank insisted on resuming command. He set a course for the base, sent out the necessary signals and only then, reluctantly, received medical aid for the worst of his 72 wounds. Cruickshank refused a morphine painkiller, however, in case it prevented him from carrying out his duties. Over the next five and a half hours, bleeding heavily, Cruickshank lapsed in and out of consciousness with Garnett taking the controls once again. But with the aircraft only an hour or so from base, Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot's seat. He knew that a hazardous landing in darkness was inevitable – and that Garnett lacked experience. Despite struggling to breathe, Cruickshank gave instructions and encouragement on how best to land the Catalina, assessing both the light and the sea conditions before the flying boat came down in the water off the Shetland Islands. Even at that point, Cruickshank insisted on giving instructions on how to taxi and beach the aircraft so that it could eventually be salvaged. Cruickshank required a blood transfusion before he was removed from the aircraft and taken to hospital. The lengthy citation for his VC, announced in The London Gazette on September 1, 1944, concluded: 'By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival even if the aircraft safely reached its base. 'Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service.' The second pilot, Flt Sgt Garnett, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). Cruickshank was discharged from Military Hospital, Lerwick, Shetland, later that same month. He received his VC from King George VI in an investiture at the Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh, on September 21. After recovering from his wounds, Cruickshank served at Headquarters, Coastal Command, by this point holding the rank of flight lieutenant. After the war, he resumed his banking career with postings to Asia and Africa. In May 1955, Cruickshank married a Canadian, Marian Beverley, in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar). She died in 1985. Flt Lt Cruickshank lived on his own for the next four decades. But each year, in a moving gesture that said so much about his character, he travelled to the Shetlands to lay a wreath on the grave of his navigator, Flying Officer John Dixon. Bob Kemp, a fellow retired RAF officer and close friend said: 'John was an amazing character, very quiet, but with a terrific sense of humour. 'I flew with him in the Catalina when he was almost 90 and as soon as he got airborne his recall of the detail of the aircraft came alive. 'He could point out every position of every crew member, where all the first-aid kits were stored, where all the machine guns were, the depth charge settings and the engine's revolutions for take-off etc. His recall was magnificent.' The death of Flt Lt Cruickshank was announced with no details about where he had died or the exact date of his passing. He was a private man and his funeral will be an occasion for close family and friends. Cruickshank was one of 181 men to be awarded the VC during the Second World War, including a New Zealander who received it twice, a double award known as a VC and Bar. Cruickshank's death is, of course, a tragedy for his family and friends who loved him so dearly. But his place in history is secure – one of the finest examples of bravery it is possible to imagine from a generation of men and women to whom we owe so much. He rarely talked about his war-time service and his VC, saying in 2008: 'You don't get involved in that kind of thing – thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty.' Like so many of the decorated war heroes that I have met over the years – as I built the world's largest collection of VC medals – Cruickshank's courage was matched by modesty and humility. In 2013, and by that point in his early 90s, he said of that night's bravery: 'It was just normal. We were trained to do the job and that was it. I wouldn't like to say I'm the only one who has an amazing story. There are plenty of other stories coming from that time.' Today the world is once again a dangerous place, with wars and conflicts in eastern Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. It is all the more important, then, that we honour and cherish the valour of men like Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank VC, who put his country, his monarch, his comrades and wider freedoms above his personal safety to make the world a better place.
