4/17/14 ChefElla's Broccolini and White Bean Ragout with Ravioli

I do not always eat the same foods that my parents eat, but this week I wanted to make a special meal just for them.  It is important for your parents to eat the foods they like too.  Parents can get bored eating your favorite foods day after day, so tonight do something special for your parents and make them their own special meal.  (Ragout or Ragu both pronounced the same way is just a fancy word for stew.) This dinner is served with ravioli, so for my sister and me, I just served the ravioli with pasta sauce and parmesan.  I hope your parents enjoy this meal as much as mine did, and you should try it too, just to see if you might like it.

For this recipe you will need to use the stove and a knife.  If you are not allowed to use the stove or a knife by yourself you can have a grown up help.

1. Wash your hands.

2. For this recipe you will need measuring cups and spoons, a large saute pan, a pot to prepare
    your ravioli, a heat proof spatula or wooden spoon, a strainer, a knife and a cutting board.

ChefElla's Broccolini & White Bean Ragout with Ravioli

Ingredients: (This recipe will make 4 servings.)

1/2 Lb.     Broccolini or Broccoli Rabe, chop into 1/4 inch pieces including the tops.
                -While the two vegetables may look similar they are different.  Broccolini has a long stem
                with what looks like broccoli florettes on top.  Broccoli Rabe has the same long green
                stem but has many leaves and a broccoli like florette on top.  While they do taste a little
                different either will be good in this recipe.

1/2 Cup    Red Onion, Small Dice (about 1/2 of a medium red onion)  

3 ea.         Roma Tomatoes, Medium Dice
1 can        Great Northern Beans or Canellini Beans.
                -Open the can and drain out the excess liquid, but do not wash them.
1 tsp        Garlic, Fresh, Chopped Fine, (1-2 cloves)
2 Tbl.       Olive Oil
1 Tbl.       Boullion Base, Chicken Flavor
                 -I choose base over powder because I do not like to use products with MSG, and dried
                 boullion usually has MSG in it.
1/4 Cup    Water
1/2 tsp      Kosher Salt (if needed)
16-18 oz   Pre-Made Ravioli    
Optional:   Parmesan Cheese

3. Pre-heat your saute pan on the stove on high heat.  Add your olive oil and heat.
4. Add garlic and stir.  As soon as the garlic begins to brown add your broccolini and onion
    to the pan and mix well.  Saute the vegetables for 3-5 minutes stiring frequently so that the vegetables
    cook but do not burn.
5. Add white beans and tomatoes to the pan and mix well.
6. In a cup mix 1/4 cup water and boullion base.  Add boullion mixture to your vegetables,
    and mix well.
7. Bring your vegetables to a boil and turn to low heat.  Taste ragout.  If it tastes good you are done.
    If it needs a little more flavor add the kosher salt and mix well.
8. Prepare ravioli according to the direction on the package and drain when they are done.
9. Plate your ravioli and top with your broccolini and white bean ragout.
10. Serve with parmesan.

I hope your parents enjoy this dish as much as mine did.  And if you try the ragout and like it, maybe it can become one of your new favorites too.

Enjoy,

- ChefElla