These rose ravioli are a romantic yet sincere dish, where the pasta blooms and flavour becomes an authentic way to say ‘I love you.’
2 people
1
Arrange the flour in a mound, make a well in the centre and add the egg and Tomato Paste. Beat with a fork, gradually incorporating the flour from the edges. When the dough starts to come together, knead it for a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with an upturned bowl and leave to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
2
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: place the ricotta cheese, cooked ham, parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, with a mousse-like consistency. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and keep refrigerated.
3
Prepare the cream by blending the peas, previously boiled in salted water, with the robiola cheese. Add a little of the pea cooking water, just enough to obtain a smooth and velvety sauce.
4
Take the pasta dough and roll it out into thin strips. Cut out small discs. Arrange 5 discs in a row. Using the piping bag, place the filling in the centre of each disc. Lightly moisten the upper edges of the discs with a little water and fold all 5 into a half-moon shape. Roll up to form a rose.
5
Cook the pasta roses in plenty of salted water for a few minutes, then gently lift them out.
6
Toss the pasta roses in a pan with the melted butter.
7
Assemble the dish by spreading the warm pea cream on the base of the plate, add the pasta roses, dress with the butter and serve with a sprinkling of parmesan and a few fresh herb leaves.
Some dishes are created to nourish, others to tell a story. These stuffed pasta roses fall into the second category. They are a recipe that speaks of time, care and attention to detail. Each rose is shaped, rolled and adjusted by hand, a repeated gesture that turns the preparation into something more than just a recipe.
They are perfect for Valentine’s Day; when cooking requires time and delicacy, it becomes an act of love. There is no need to overdo the portions: just a few roses on the plate are enough. They are not meant to be filling, but to stir emotion. They immediately take centre stage: colourful, striking, almost velvety.
Colour is the first thing that catches the eye. Mutti Double Concentrated Tomato Paste gives the pasta an intense, elegant and natural hue and, with its bold character, adds the right decisive note that blends perfectly with the filling. It does not overpower or dominate, but brings everything together. It is the kind of flavour that makes the whole dish more harmonious and balanced. Alongside the pasta roses, the pea base creates a delicate, natural contrast. A vibrant, fresh green that enhances the dish even further. This is not just an aesthetic choice, but a play of balance, colours and flavours.
The heart of these rose ravioli is a delicate ricotta and cooked ham mousse. Light, airy and enveloping. A texture designed to surprise. The ricotta adds softness, the ham brings character; together they create a reassuring balance that appeals to everyone.
It is a filling that reveals itself bite after bite, accompanying the dish without weighing it down. It melts into the pasta, dialogues with the tomato and finds a fresh, gentle counterpoint in the green peas. This is one of those recipes that shows how aesthetics and flavour can go hand in hand, without compromise.
Ultimately, these pasta roses tell exactly this story: cooking becomes a gesture of love when you choose to devote time, care and beauty to it. And what better day than Valentine’s Day to do so? Making them is already part of the gift. Bringing them to the table is a special way to say “I love you”, without words.
