Ravioli, Queen of Stuffed Pasta
/One of our favorite pasta dishes (and one of our guests) is ravioli, those light, fluffy pillows stuffed with a varying combinations of herbs, greens, meat, seafood and cheese. Traditionally in Italy, they are square. If you see them semi-circular, they would be called mezzelune (half-moons). Many other types of Italian pasta contain fillings, such as tortelloni and tortelli, however they are usually smaller and more difficult to make by hand.
Ravioli appears in writings as early as the 14th century and they were reportedly served at a papal conclave in Rome in 1549. The favored stuffings vary by region, for example ricotta cheese and spinach are popular in Rome. Many ravioli dishes come with a tomato or cream based sauce, however they were traditionally served en brodo, in a broth, which was how we served our Chianina Ravioli during our special Chianina Weekend. Beef from an ancient breed of cattle paired with the old way of saucing ravioli just seemed right.
Everyone who had it loved it. This is what you missed: Roasted Chianina Beef-Fresh Mozzarella Ravioli, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Fennel, Sweet Onion, Grana Padana Brodo
Because we make all of our own ravioli, it’s usually a weekend special at M’tucci’s Italian and at M’tucci’s Moderno, however look for each location to add ravioli as a regular menu item in the near future. Some of the past favorite fillings have been; Wild Mushroom and Ricotta, Red Chile Three Cheese, Roasted Fennel and Duroc Pork with Goat Cheese and Butternut Squash and Mascarpone with a Browned Butter Sage Sauce.
For Mother’s Day, we are giving Mom what she wants and that is our most requested ravioli: Lobster and Cream Cheese with a Shrimp and Lobster Cream Sauce. If you haven’t made your reservations, do so now.
Here is a video of our ravioli process. As you can see there are a few tools that allow us to hand-make our ravioli. Can you imagine how long it would take to make 1,200 totally by hand?
Lobster & Cream Cheese Ravioli with a Shrimp and Lobster Cream Sauce, micro greens and parmesan
NEWS OF THE WEEK
M’tucci’s Italian
Tonight, 6:00-8:00: Violist Michelle Zetterhom will play dinner music.
Weekend Specials are Pan-Seared Scallops, Braised Harris Ranch Beef, Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Shallots in a Red Chile Cream Sauce.
Mother’s Day, May 12 - We are nearly full for the day and evening, so why not bring Mom on Saturday night if you can’t get the reservation you want on Sunday? Or better yet, honor your Mother with a M’tucci’s Gift Certificate. Both M’tucci’s Italian and Moderno will open for brunch at 10:00am and offer a couple of specials and a surprise for all Mothers.
M’tucci’s Moderno - Specials for the weekend are Pan-Seared Bay Scallops and Lobster Ravioli (a Rio Rancho favorite).
Mother’s Day, May 12: Brunch starts at 10:00am, so make your reservations now!
Tonight (May 9) 7:00: Stanlie Kee Live in the Bar
Friday, May 3, 8:30: Delphia Live in the Bar
M’tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria
May 31, 6:00 - Beer Week Collaboration with Dialogue Brewing. Four course menu paired with Dialogue’s European style beers. Tickets available at Dialogue Taproom, 1501 1st St NW. $40 per person.
May 23- June 2: Beer Week Tap Takeover with Steel Bender Brewyard - We’ll feature SkullBucket IPA, ETTu Brut IPA, Berliner Weisse and the Kolsch. Albuquerque Beer Week
Every Thursday - Sunday: Order M’tucci’s pizzas, sandwiches and boards while visiting La Cumbre Westside. The patio is the place to be (although you might want to dine inside this weekend!).
ONGOING
M’tucci’s Monthly Photo Contest
Our April winner was Megan McNutt, who receives a $50 gift certificate to any M’tucci’s location. The May contest is underway, so enter soon and enter often. Post a photo from M’tucci’s with friends, food or beverages on your Facebook page or your Instagram feed and tag the photo #lovemtuccis. The winning photo is chosen from the three photos with the most likes.
M’TUCCI’S AROUND TOWN
Did you know you can find our market items at a couple of locations? We deliver our fresh bread every Tuesday and Friday to Silver Street Market at 2nd and Silver. Choose from Sourdough, Fennel Rye, Wheat, Baguette, Ciabatta, Raisin Rosemary and Focaccia.
Drinking at Bosque in Nob Hill? You can order a M’tucci’s Charcuterie Board while there.
Tony stocking the shelves at Silver Street Market in downtown ABQ.
SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT & DISCOUNTS
Area service industry workers can get a Service Industry card from us by showing proof of employment. With the card you receive 10% off your check every day and 20% off on Sundays from 6:00 - 9:00. Dine in only.
M’TUCCI’S WEDNESDAY PRIX FIXE DINNERS
New specials for the month of May will be published in this space next Tuesday or Wednesday. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram every Wednesday.
ONLINE ORDERING
Our food is available for delivery with Door Dash or for pick up. Pick up something for the weekend or on your way home from work. The links to ordering are on the Home page.
MTUCCI’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Videos about making cocktails and pasta and getting to know the M’tucci’s culture. Click here
ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE - BEST OF THE CITY
We would appreciate your vote and support in the newest Best of the City poll. We feel pretty strongly that we are the best in these categories: Bartender, Bloody Mary, Craft Cocktails, Happy Hour, Appetizer Menu, Brunch, Chef, Dessert, Gourmet Pizza, Pizza and Wine List. We won last year for Waitstaff and Italian Restaurant and would love to keep our record intact. Click here to vote.
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It’s a nice time of year to be in Venice! But, if you can’t go to Venice - come to M’tucci’s!
