Manicotti with Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 8 squares fresh manicotti noodles
• 1 pound ricotta
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
• Salt and pepper
• Marinara Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and set a large pot of water on the stovetop to boil.

In a bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, and salt and pepper. Set this filling aside.

Cook the manicotti in boiling water for minute. After they've cooked for one minute, remove the pot from the heat but do not drain the manicotti squares in a colander as the noodles often stick together. Instead, run cold water into the pot until you can fish the manicotti squares out safely with your fingers. Shake off the excess water as you remove each square. It is usually best to place the squares on a clean cloth to further blot them.

Lay the squares flat on a cloth, placing the filling across the center of the dough, leaving a little room at the edges on each side. Turn up the edge nearest you so that it lies on top of the filling. Now turn the edge farthest from you towards you so that it lies on top of the first edge. You now have a cannoli-like tube. Spread 1 ladleful of the sauce onto the bottom of a 9 by 12-inch baking pan. Turn the manicotti over and place seam-side down in the baking pan on top of the sauce. Continue until the pan has a layer of manicotti. Spoon 2 more ladlefuls of sauce over the top and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve with additional sauce for individual servings.

Marinara Sauce:

Everyone has his own variation of marinara sauce. Borgatti's is basic and can be used throughout this book whenever marinara is called for—the seasonings and herbs can be adjusted, to taste.

1/3 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 (28-ounce) cans crushed plum tomatoes

10 basil leaves, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)

1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the oil. Saute the garlic, salt, and pepper for 5 minutes or until the garlic is softened. Add the remaining ingredients, then raise the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Simmer for 30 minutes. The sauce can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.

Yield: about 5 cups