Zesty Alpine Delight

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 2 cups (200g) fresh spinach, chopped 2 cups (200g) fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup (100g) grated cheese (such as Emmental or Gruyere) 1 cup (100g) grated cheese (such as Emmental or Gruyere)
• 1/4 cup (60g) ricotta cheese 1/4 cup (60g) ricotta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the tomato sauce: For the tomato sauce:
• 2 cups (500g) canned crushed tomatoes 2 cups (500g) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the dough. Gradually add the water and vegetable oil, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the spinach.
3. 3.
   In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, grated cheese, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass.
5. 5.
   Place a spoonful of the spinach and cheese filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal the dumplings.
6. 6.
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water and cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon and set aside.
7. 7.
   To prepare the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
8. 8.
   Serve the Zesty Alpine Delight dumplings with the tomato sauce drizzled on top. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Spinach — Make sure to thoroughly wash the spinach leaves before chopping them. Remove any tough stems and discard them.
• Grated cheese — Opt for a good quality cheese that melts well, such as Emmental or Gruyere, to achieve a creamy and flavorful filling.
• Ricotta cheese — If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the ricotta cheese in a food processor before adding it to the filling mixture.
• Tomato sauce — For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce while simmering.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the filling and tomato sauce in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can omit the cheese and increase the amount of spinach in the filling.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices in the filling to customize the flavors to your liking.
• Serve the dumplings with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
• Leftover dumplings can be reheated by lightly pan-frying them in a little butter until crispy on the outside.

Serving advice

Serve the Zesty Alpine Delight dumplings as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. They can also be served as an appetizer or part of a buffet spread.

Presentation advice

Arrange the dumplings on a platter, drizzle the tomato sauce over them, and garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. The vibrant colors of the dumplings and the sauce will make for an appealing presentation.