Stuffed Pasta

Both egg and eggless pasta doughs can be used for fresh stuffed pasta, the simplest of which are sandwiches with the filling contained between two layers of dough, as in the popular ravioli or tortelli. The sandwiches, cut in circles or squares, come in many sizes. Small parcels are another option, folded over and sealed to form triangles or half-moons. Other forms of stuffed pasta involve further folding into eccentric shapes to resemble little hats (cappelletti) or even “courtesans' navels” (tortellini). Two popular Chinese filled pastas are spring rolls and wontons (meaning “swallow a cloud”), tiny dough parcels enclosing a filling of meat, poultry, fish or vegetables that are deep-fried and served with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce.