Food: Thanksgiving Ravioli Bolognese

Happy Thanksgiving, MBG readers! Lauren here, and today I have an alternative holiday meal idea for you. Maybe you can't make it home to be with your family, or maybe your family just wants to mix things up from the traditional standbys. 

Either way, I think you're going to love this little Thanksgiving-inspired creation, which combines all those traditional flavors we love into one truly yummy dish... 
 

There are a few pots and pans involved, but wonton wrappers make the ravioli a cinch to whip up and altogether it takes far less time than a turkey would. Keep reading for the recipe, and I hope you enjoy!
 

Sweet Potato & Sage Ravioli Ingredients

-1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

-5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped

-1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 rounds

-1/3 cup goat cheese (about 2-3 ounces)

-Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

-Salt and freshly ground pepper

-About 40 wonton wrappers (makes 20 ravioli)

-2 egg whites, beaten

Turkey Cranberry Bolognese Ingredients

-1 pound lean ground turkey (I used 93%--99% gets too dry)

-1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

-2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

-2 cans diced tomatoes with their juice

-1/4 cup water

-Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

-Salt and freshly ground pepper

-2 cups fresh cranberries

-1 cup of sugar

-2 tablespoons water

-Fresh parsley to serve

-Fresh parmesan, grated, to serve

Instructions

1) Puncture each sweet potato round with a fork, then place slices in a large ceramic bowl. Microwave 15-20 minutes until softened, turning once halfway through.

2) Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute chopped onion and sage until browned. Set aside. 

3) Remove the potatoes from the microwave (using a towel as the bowl will be very hot). Using a potato hand masher, mash the sweet potatoes. Season generously with salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Stir in the goat cheese until fully blended, then add the onion-sage mixture.

4) Lay 10 wonton wrappers on a clean countertop. Dollop a teaspoon of sweet potato filling onto the middle of each square. Using a pastry brush, brush egg white along tops, bottoms and sides of first wonton, working around the filling. Lay a new wonton sheet over the filled one, gently sealing the edges with your fingers and carefully pushing out the air bubbles. Repeat with each wonton until all are covered. Using a cookie cutter placed directly in the center of each wonton, cut into ravioli rounds, gently pulling away the excess dough. Press the edges of each ravioli again to ensure a solid seal. Repeat entire process with another set of 10 wontons (doing all 20 at once will cause the dough to dry out). Cover all raviolis with a very lightly damp kitchen towel until ready to cook.

5) In a pan over medium-high heat, place cranberries, sugar and water. Cook down for 10-15 minutes, so the sugar dissolves and cranberries soften. Allow to bubble during this process, stirring occasionally. Cranberries should become very, very soft but will remain whole and a sticky sauce will develop. Season cranberry sauce with salt and pepper. 

6) In another pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and add ground turkey. Cook until turkey is fully browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Add a little more oil, the onion and garlic. Cook until softened and browned. Add the turkey back into the pan, along with the two cans of diced tomatoes and their juice, and just a little water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, add the cranberry sauce and stir thoroughly to distribute. Cook, covered, about 10 minutes more.

7) In a small saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Working in batches, add 3-4 ravioli at a time, cook for 3 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a kitchen towel. Gently blot dry and transfer to a bowl. Cover with a pot lid to keep warm. Cook remaining ravioli. 

8) To serve, layer ravioli on the bottom of each pasta bowl and top with bolognese sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and parmesan. 

-post & images by Lauren Craig