Tortelli al magro (tortelli filled with Swiss chard)

Step 1

First make the pasta dough. Place the flour in a mixing bowl or in a heap on a clean work surface, make a well in the centre and break in the eggs. Using a fork, gradually mix the flour and eggs together, then knead with your hands to make a smooth dough.

Step 2

Shape into a ball, wrap in clingfilm and leave to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until required.

Step 3

In the meantime, prepare the filling. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Remove the stalks from the Swiss chard (keep them for use in another recipe). Add the green leaves to the pan of boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes, then drain well.

Step 4

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan, sweat the garlic over a medium heat for a minute, then add the drained Swiss chard and stir-fry for a couple of minutes.

Step 5

Remove from the heat, discard the garlic clove, then leave the Swiss chard to cool. Once cooled, drain, then use your hands to squeeze out the excess liquid. Finely chop the Swiss chard and combine it with the ricotta, grated Parmesan, egg and a little salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 6

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pasta dough until it is wafer-thin or use a pasta machine on the thinnest setting. Cut out 8cm (4¼in.) circles of dough using a round pastry cutter (about 30 rounds). Place dollops of the filling in the centre of each round, brush the outer edge of each with a little water, then fold over to make a halfmoon shape, press to seal and make light indentions with a fork.

Step 7

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil, then add the tortelli and cook for about 5 minutes until cooked through – try one!

Step 8

At the same time, for the sauce, melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, then add the sage leaves and cook until the butter has melted and the leaves are bubbling. Using a slotted spoon, remove the tortelli from the boiling water, add to the melted sage butter and gently mix together.

Step 9

Remove from the heat and serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

Step 10

Remove from the heat and serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.