homemade tortellini

Rainy Sunday, Sam and Paul are in their home. Sam is drinking coffee and looking at the dust on TV screen. Paul is still in his pajamas. Sounds of clattering pots and blander noise are coming from the kitchen cabinet.

S: Paul, what are you doing?

P: I am making tortellini. I mean I am planning to make them. We will see what will come out at the end.

S: ?

P: Well, you know I am not an expert but I want to try and make homemade pasta. And I would rather spend time next to this hot cooker than going out. It’s purring cats and dogs outside and it’s so cold.

S: Sure, sure. But what is this red color?

P: Hm, it was suppose to be purple, but sometimes things are not how we imagine and expect them to be. Sometimes we get surprised, but this is a rather good surprise. (Both, Paul and Sam are laughing)

S: What did you use to get this vivid red color, hopefully not my edible red color for cookies?!

P: No, I used beetroot that was fading in our fridge for quite some time. I cooked it and pureed with olive oil and sifted to get color for the dough. Honestly I still don't get it how it turned out so red.

S: And the stuffing, any plans for that?

P: I am making pea stuffing with fresh spring onions, spring garlic and cream cheese.

S: Sounds great! When it's going to be ready, as I am already hungry.

P: In few hours, the dough must rest for at least an hour.

S: Ok

Sam went back to the living room and sat on her sofa. After some time she started searching for the perfect sauce that would go with tortellini and found one in the book The Geometry of Pasta.  Cream sauce or Tortellini con panna is something she now wishes to eat for lunch.

The lunch turned into early dinner. 

S: And another good surprise for today. Well done Paul!

P: After I rolled out first one I thought I wouldn't make it, but the practice really makes it easier and better. Next time they will be perfect.

While enjoying homemade pasta dish Paul has proudly shared all the details of how to make homemade tortellini. 

Pea and cream cheese filled tortellini

Beet pasta

270g flour

4 eggs (2 eggs and 2 egg yolks)

4 tbsp of beet puree

Mix everything in a blender until the dough is formed. Knead it a bit with hands, but don't use extra flour. Divide the dough in 4 discs and wrap each one in clingfilm and leave to rest in a fridge for at last an hour.

To get purple color from beet you just simply cook beetroot and when it's tender and soft bland it with olive oil to get smooth puree texture. Sift it before using for coloring the dough. 

Roll out the dough to be paper-thin. Pasta machine is recommended, but you can try with hands and rolling pin. Make square shape (10x10cm) and place the filling to the center. 

To make tortellini follow the pictures below..

Filling

200g frozen peas (cooked and drained)

3 spring onions

1 spring garlic

2 tbsp cream cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything to get rather smooth paste but still with some texture left. Leave to cool in the fridge before start filling.

Boil tortellini for 4-5 minutes (untill they come to surface), drain them and toss in the sauce.

For the sauce follow the recipe for tortellini con panna here.