Spinach Ricotta Dumplings Recipes

Steps:

• In a skillet, saute onion in butter till tender.
• Add spinach, cook and stir over medium heat until liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in ricotta; cook and stir for 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add 3/4 cup of flour, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.
• Cool for 5 minutes.
• Stir in eggs; mix well.
• Place remaining flour in a bowl.
• Drop batter by tabelspoonfuls into flour; roll gently to coat and shape each into an oval.
• In a large saucepan; bring water and bouillion to a boil-reduce heat.
• Add a third of the dumplings at a time, simmer, uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a dumpling comes out clean.
• Remove from the liquid with a slotted spoon; keep warm.
• Drizzle with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and mash into a chunky sauce using a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 12 minutes. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender; puree.
• Dust a rimmed baking sheet with flour; set aside. Mix the spinach, ricotta, parmesan, egg yolks, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the flour and stir until just combined. Drop tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the flour-dusted pan, shaking the pan from side to side to coat the dumplings in the flour and smooth out their edges. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Add the chilled dumplings and cook until they float to the top and are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel¿lined plate to drain. Serve on top of the tomato sauce and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with more parmesan.

Steps:

• Dumplings -- I make them ahead, because the soup cooks pretty quick. Also, once you make them, put them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes so they firm up. This just makes them easier to cook in the broth.
• In a small bowl, mix up the ricotta, spinach, parmesan, egg, flour, salt and pepper. Dust your hands with flour and roll the ricotta mix into dumplings. I make them about 1/2 the size of a golf ball or small walnut sized. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put in the freezer. Just about 20-30 minutes as you start the soup. This will help the dumplings to firm up and steam well in the soup.
• Egg Mixture -- In a small sauce pan, bring 1 cup of the broth to a simmer on medium heat. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the lemon juice, flour and eggs and mix well. Once the broth warms up, slowly drizzle 1/2 of the broth, a little at a time into the egg mixture. This will temper the eggs, which means the eggs will warm up to the temperature of the broth and they won't scramble when added into the warm broth. Now, slowly add all the egg mixture back into the rest of the broth in the pot. Then cook the egg and broth mixture on medium heat until slightly thickened. Don't let it boil. Once it thickens, just turn off the heat, this will be added later.
• Soup Base -- In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and bring to medium-medium high heat. Add in the onion, garlic, celery mushrooms and pinch of salt, and saute for 3-4 minutes until tender. Add the broth and bring to a light boil boil for about 5 minutes.
• Dumplings -- Now, depending on the size of your pot you may be able to cook the dumplings all at once, but I don't like to crowd them. I add in 1/2 the dumplings and a time, you don't want to over crowd them and cook 4-5 minutes until done. They will start to float. Remove to a bowl and add the remaining dumplings, cook another 4-5 minutes.
• Finish Soup -- Reduce the temperature of the soup to medium low, and then slowly add the egg mixture to the soup, along with the chicken, cooked orzo, dill and check for seasoning. Add in the dumplings and just heat and serve.
• Serve -- Garnish each bowl or soup with a lemon slice and fresh ground black pepper and ENJOY!