Italian Appetizers Recipes - Toasted Ravioli

Ingredients   

• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• 2 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and cut up

• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 16- to 20-ounce package frozen meat-filled ravioli, thawed

• 2/3 to 1 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs

• Cooking oil or shortening for deep-fat frying

• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Method:

1. For sauce, in a medium saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil or butter until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, dried basil (if using), salt, and pepper. Cover; cook over medium heat about 10 minutes or until tomatoes are soft, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in tomato paste. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until mixture reaches desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh basil, if using. Cover sauce; keep warm.

3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl beat together egg and milk. Dip each ravioli in egg mixture, then dip in bread crumbs to coat.

4. Pour 2 inches of oil into a heavy 3-quart saucepan; heat to 350°F. Fry ravioli, a few at a time, in hot oil about 2 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in the 300°F oven while frying the remaining ravioli.

5. If desired, sprinkle ravioli with Parmesan cheese. Serve with warm sauce for dipping.