Toasted Onion and Ancho Chili Jam

Toasted ancho chiles, onions, garlic, cumin and coriander with apple cider vinegar and a touch of wild guajillo honey..

Toasted Onion and Ancho Chili Jam

For the Jam

1/4 pound dried Ancho chiles
1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
1 head garlic
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, cracked
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, cracked
2 tablespoons raw cider vinegar
a few drops of hickory or mesquite liquid smoke (optional)
2 tablespoons olive or peanut oil, divided
1 tablespoon (or to taste) wild guajillo honey
sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Split the Ancho chiles open and remove the stem, seeds and ribs.  Lightly toast on a dry comal for about 20-30 seconds on each side.  Take care not to let the peppers burn or they will become very bitter.

Transfer the chiles to a glass bowl and cover with just-boiled water.  Allow to steep 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the top off of a whole head of garlic, brush with olive oil, wrap in foil and roast for a half hour at 400 degrees.  Allow to cool.

Meanwhile, toast the chopped onions on a dry comal over medium heat until golden brown.  Add the cumin and coriander and toast another minute, again taking care not to let it burn.  Allow to cool.

Squeeze the garlic into the bowl of a food processor and add the  softened chiles and vinegar and pulse a couple of times into a thick, chunky paste.

Transfer the chili mixture to a bowl and stir in the seasoned onions and garlic.  Add honey, salt and pepper to taste.

Ancho chili jam is delicious with grilled, roasted or smoked meat, fowl or sausages (venison, bison and wild boarsausage shown).

Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Sauce of Pepe Rosso, Herbs and Fresh Tomatoes

Calendula-colored, homemade ravioli filled with roasted butternut squash and served over a sauce of pepe rosso and fresh Roma tomatoes.  Topped with Mediterranean micro-greens, tomato concassé and shaved asiago fresco..

Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Sauce of Pepe Rosso and Fresh Tomatoes

For the Tomato Pepper Sauce

4 Roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup pepe rosso (sweet Italian pepper powder)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon pastured butter
1 teaspoon fresh marjoram
1 tablespoon fresh red basil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat olive oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and pepe rosso, reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour, stirring often. Add herbs and simmer 10 minutes, then season to taste with salt and pepper. The sauce may be left coarse or puréed as you see fit.

For the Concassé

1-2 Roma tomatoes, cored
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh Italian parsley, torn
pinch sea salt

Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 45 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to a plate to cool, then peel off and discard the skin. Split the tomatoes in half then gently squeeze out and discard the seeds. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and toss with olive oil, parsley and salt.

For the Pasta

1 1/2 cups organic, all-purpose flour
1 large pastured egg at room temperature
1 1/2 tablespoons filtered water at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup dried calendula (for color and a slight bitter flavor, optional)

Combine flour and salt into a mound on a large, flat work surface.  Make a small well in the center of the mound.  Crack the egg into the well, drizzle in the olive oil and beat lightly with a fork.

Working in a clockwise direction, use one hand to mix in the flour from the inside of the well while using the other hand to keep the outside of the well intact.  Continue working the flour until a smooth, non-sticky dough is formed. Cover dough with a damp kitchen towel and allow to rest 30 minutes.

For the Filling

1 small butternut squash
1 tablespoon pastured butter
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh cream
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Split the squash lengthwise and clean out the seeds and any excess fibrous material.  Brush the insides of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.  Roast the squash in a 400 degree oven until tender and slightly caramelized, about 30 minutes.  Allow to cool, then use a spoon to scoop the flesh into a food processor.  Add the cream and process into a smooth puree.

Heat the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.  When the foam subsides, add the shallot and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Reduce heat to medium-low, add the squash and stir to combine.  Mixture should be thick but spreadable, something like the consistency of wet sand.  Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary and allow to cool.

To Assemble Ravioli

Roll out the dough into 2 strips about 1/8 inch thick.  Arrange teaspoonfuls of squash mixture about 2 inches apart onto one of the strips of dough then lay the other strip of dough over the top, pressing out the air as you go.  Use a ravioli wheel or cookie cutter to cut out individual raviolis and arrange on a baking sheet to dry for 20 minutes.

To cook Ravioli

Bring unsalted water to a rolling boil and add the calendula and 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Cook the pasta until just tender, about 4 minutes (varies). Drain all but a tablespoon of water. Add torn micro-greens and toss gently to coat.

To Assemble

Ladle tomato pepper sauce into the center of a serving plate. Arrange drained pasta over the top and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Dress with tomato concassé and shaved asiago cheese.

This post is part of Meatless Monday!