The Holy Ravioli Is Here To Save Your Hangover

I know it’s January and I should be all ”time to get healthy!” but…I don’t operate that way. So I would like to share my recipe for a truly gluttonous (and delicious) sandwich I made a while back when I was up for the role of Thrillist’s Recipes editor. That didn’t pan out, but I don’t blame the sandwich, I think it’s because this chick puts Spaghettio’s on pizza and they felt like their hands were tied. I’d say we’re spirit animals.

Anyway. Meet the Holy Ravioli. I named it so because this is what it consists of: fried mini cheese raviolis on a garlic-buttered English Muffin (YAY CARBS), topped with spicy marinara, smoked provolone, and a fried egg. HOLY (CRAP). Trust me, this is one of the best things you’ve ever eaten.

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This magical beast is perfect for those rude hangovers too. You know, the ones that happen all through January and February because you have nothing better to do on a weeknight then drink an entire bottle of pinot to the face? And they keep well in the fridge, so if you make one, assemble it, and wrap it in tin foil before you go out, you’re good. Just heat it up in the microwave (drunk cooking at it’s finest) and you’ll be more than satisfied.

I’d also like to point out how much I love English Muffins. Such an underrated vehicle for a sandwich. And with this hefty fella, YOU NEED ALL THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES TO SOAK UP THE GARLIC BUTTER AND THE RUNNY YOLK.

Note: Smoked provolone is not easy to find, so you can substitute smoked mozz or regular provolone instead. And you don’t have to make your own sauce if you don’t want to – you can easily just add some chili flakes and cayenne to your favorite jar sauce.

Holy Ravioli Sandwich (makes 3)

NEEDS:

3 English Muffins

1 cup mini cheese raviolis (I used fresh ones and it came to about 15 minis)

1/2 cup buttermilk

2/3 cup breadcrumbs

2 tbsp fresh grated parmesan cheese

6 slices smoked provolone (2 per sandwich)

3 eggs

1 cup marinara sauce (recipe to follow)

2 tbsp garlic butter (or regular butter)

Vegetable oil for deep frying

 

For Spicy Marinara:

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 medium onion, cut in half

2 cloves garlic, grated on microplane or finely minced

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp chili flakes

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3 basil leaves, chopped fine (or 2 tsp dried basil)

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make sauce. Combine olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add garlic, salt, chili flakes, cayenne and oregano and stir for 1 – 2 minutes – do not let the garlic burn or brown. Add tomatoes, basil, sugar, and half the onion. I know it’s weird, but it’s just for flavor. You don’t need to mince the onion. Bring sauce to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for an hour or so until reduced and thickened.

Rav sauce

2. Make the fried ravioli. Set up an assembly station with the buttermilk and breadcrumbs. Mix the 2 tbsp of parm cheese in with the breadcrumbs. Dip the raviolis in buttermilk, then breadcrumb mixture. Set aside.

Rav cup

Rav ingredients

3. Heat vegetable oil a few inches deep in a fryer or pot, whatever you use to fry. Fry the little raviolis in batches, 5 at a time until golden brown and drain on paper towels. Please excuse my fryer basket, as it is from my great grandparent’s restaurant from the 1930’s. Not kidding.

Rav fried

4. Toast the English muffins and spread the garlic butter ALL OVER. DO NOT BE SHY.

5. Fry the eggs. You want to be gentle with this, and it takes some practice. So if you mess up and break the yolks, it’s fine and will still taste delicious. Melt a tsp of butter in a small skillet, and crack one egg into a bowl to make sure the yolk is still intact. Once the butter starts to foam a little, slide the egg from the bowl into the pan. Tilt the pan a little so it stays small and the whites begin to set. Crack a little salt and pepper over the top and cook for a minute or two. Flip the egg either carefully with a spatula or with the pan itself. Honestly it’s easier to do with the pan, but hard to describe with words. This takes some finesse and even I still screw it up sometimes. Cook for maybe 30 seconds – 1 minute and if you didn’t break the yolks, that means the yolk will still be runny. GOOD JOB!

Rav fried egg

6. Assemble the sandwich. Layer 4-5 pieces of fried ravioli on the bottom piece of the English Muffin, top with sauce, then a slice of cheese, fried egg, another slice of cheese, more sauce, and close the sandwich. This is what it looks like when it’s really hot and melty:

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7. Take a bite of the best sandwich EVER. Let the yolk run down your fingers and the cheese string from your mouth. IF THAT ISN’T A SEXY IMAGE I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS.

Rav cut half

 

 

2 Comments

  1. LeVicomteDeKermel

    Hmmm it looks delicious, I will try this recipe for my next hangover ! :))

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