Ricotta, Pecorino and Parmesan Ravioli

Ingredients

• Fresh pasta is so easy to make, and this ravioli is so delicious and a great one for the kids to help you with – you don`t need a pasta machine, just a wine bottle or a rolling pin.
• 5 fresh large organic egg yolks
• 1 pound strong pasta flour (Tipo `OO`)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 sprigs fresh sage, leaves picked

Filling:

• 9 ounces buffalo ricotta
• 2 tablespoons finely grated pecorino, plus extra for finishing
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus extra for finishing
• Small bunch fresh marjoram, leaves picked, 1/2 finely chopped, other 1/2 kept whole and reserved
• 1 lemon, zested
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Make the pasta by plonking the eggs and flour in a food processor, turning it on and within 30 seconds it should look like chewy-looking bread crumbs. These will start to come together into larger balls of dough. Take the dough out and work by hand for 2 minutes or until smooth, silky and elastic. Wrap in plastic and allow to rest in the refrigerator.

Prepare the filling by mixing everything except the whole marjoram leaves together, checking the seasoning.

Cut off pieces of the pasta and roll out on a lightly floured clean work surface to about 1mm thick, then cut into pieces about 14 by 14cm (6 by 6 inches). Place a good heaped teaspoon of filling on 1 side, then using a clean pastry brush and some water, lightly but evenly brush the pasta. Pinch 1 side of the pasta over the filling so it forms a parcel, then with your thumb or the base of your palm gently pat the pasta down all around the filling. (The most important thing about ravioli is it must be sealed completely, so if there are any rips, chuck them out.) Trim and cut the ravioli into shape with a knife or crinkly cutter.

Cook the ravioli in salted, gently boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, fry the marjoram leaves and sage leaves in the olive oil until crispy, then drain on kitchen paper.

Put the cooked ravioli in a warmed small frying pan, add a little of the cooking water and another tablespoon of the grated pecorino, and toss. To serve, spoon the ravioli into a dish, sprinkle some of the crispy herbs on top, and add another grating of Parmesan and some freshly ground black pepper to finish.