Imagine a dish so delicate and delicious that it transports you straight to the rustic kitchens of Italy with just one bite. Malfatti, the hidden gem of Italian cuisine, is about to revolutionize your home cooking experience. These spinach and ricotta dumplings are not just a meal, but a culinary adventure that combines simplicity with extraordinary flavor, promising to turn an ordinary dinner into an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 400g fresh spinach
- 250g ricotta cheese
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- Salt to taste
- Nutmeg to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach leaves and remove any tough stems. Drain excess water.
- In a large pot, blanch the spinach in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Immediately transfer to an ice water bath to stop cooking and preserve bright green color.
- Drain the spinach completely and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Finely chop the blanched spinach.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Gradually add all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Dust a clean work surface with flour. Take small portions of the mixture and gently roll into oval or oblong-shaped dumplings, about 2 inches long.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle simmer. Carefully drop the malfatti into the water in batches.
- Cook the dumplings for 3-4 minutes. They are ready when they float to the surface, indicating they are cooked through.
- Remove the malfatti with a slotted spoon and drain on a clean kitchen towel.
- Plate the malfatti and generously sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while warm, optionally with a light butter sage sauce or simple marinara.
Tips
- Moisture is Key: Thoroughly squeeze out excess water from the spinach to prevent soggy dumplings. Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth for best results.
- Gentle Mixing: When incorporating flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make your malfatti tough and dense.
- Flour Your Workspace: Keep your work surface lightly floured to prevent the delicate dough from sticking.
- Simmer, Don't Boil: Use a gentle simmer when cooking the dumplings to ensure they maintain their delicate texture.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh ricotta and spinach for the most vibrant flavor and texture.
- Serve Immediately: Malfatti are best enjoyed hot, straight from the pot, with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 65mg
