Beet Ravioli and Extra Stitches

We had my favorite thing yesterday for lunch.  Roasted Beet ravioli with poppy seed butter.  It's been a while since we've made it, long enough that I couldn't find the recipe and had to call my little sister, the one who introduced me to such exquisite-ness. 

I love having girls.  Although I don't have boys to compare, I love how they love to do what I do.  This weekend Pearl whipped up a sewing project for Olive's birthday coming up next month.  When I started making the ravioli they all clamored to help.  Even Clover pulled up a chair and began smearing egg wash over the wonton wrappers, then proceeded to shake her hands in the air, flinging the liquid who knows where.

My little helpers, sometimes more little and less helpers, crowded around the table getting their share of work in.

Heavenly, I tell you.  The help and the grub.

Filling:

2 large red beets

1/4 c Ricotta fresh whole milk cheese

1/4 c Goat cheese

2 T dried breadcrumbs

1/4 c toasted Walnuts finely chopped

1 tsp lemon zest

salt/pepper to taste

Wonton Skins

1 egg white

2 T water

Sauce:

1 stick butter

1 T poppy seeds

Goat (or Parmesan) cheese for top

400ø oven.  Roast beets wrapped in foil (and I also used parchment paper) about 1 hour on baking sheet until tender when poked with knife.  Let cool, peel, and grate finely in bowl.  Add cheeses and season to taste with salt, pepper, lemon zest and toasted walnuts.  Stir in breadcrumbs.  Use wonton wrappers, brush the entire wrapper on one side with beaten egg white/water mix, fill with about 2 teaspoons of filling, fold and seal.  Boil in salted water for 3-4 minutes.

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat and stir in poppy seeds, keep warm. Toss with ravioli and sprinkle with cheese (and I also added extra nuts and poppy seeds).  If you use unsalted butter, I would suggest adding a bit of salt to the butter as well.

Saturday night I re-learned how to crochet!  Yes, the nesting kicking in again.  I learned when I was in elementary school and just made lopsided squares and rectangles.  This time I decided I needed to make this newest little one a blanket.  I have now advanced to a lopsided blanket, probably.  The first several rows I managed to add stitches, but I think I've finally evened out my rows.  I'll let you know how it turns out in the end.

The extra set of legs are Pearl's.  She has to be close.  To anyone.  She doesn't even realize she's doing it, but if you happen to stand or sit next to Pearl anywhere, you'll soon find her weight leaning against or on you.  It's one of those rare guarantees of life.  Even though claustrophobia has humorlessly set in with the summer months and the cantaloupe around my midsection, I try to enjoy her need for closeness.