• Homemade Ravioli
• 3 cups flour (all purpose or semolina)
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• ½ pound ricotta
• Salt and pepper
• ¾ pound ground pork and veal
• ½ cup chopped spinach
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 ravioli sheets

1. Sift flour into a mixing bowl.
2. Beat eggs.
3. Gradually add eggs and oil to flour, mixing with a spoon.
4. As mixture becomes lumpy, begin to press together and knead with your hands.
5. If mixture seems too dry and grainy, add one tablespoon of water at a time until mixture holds together into a ball.
6. Removing dough from the mixing bowl, begin to knead dough for 2 minutes on a lightly floured dough board or table top.
7. Cut dough in halves, cover with a bowl or a dampened cloth and allow dough to “rest” for 30 minutes.
8. Allowing the dough to rest will improve the texture of the dough.
9. Take the quarter section of dough and roll out with a rolling pin to a size that will overlap all sides of the cutting plate.
10. Dough should be rolled to a thickness equal to the thick edge of a knife blade.
11. Two sheets will be required to produce one batch of Ravioli.
12. Chop meat fine in a food processor.
13. Fry in shortening until well browned. Dry spinach and chop fine.
14. Mix all ingredients, add salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate. (Filling is easier to work with when refrigerated.)
15. Source: Kitchenaid manual

Raviolis With a Dog “We’re here,” say’s my mother as we open the car doors. When I walked out the first thing I saw was my Aunt Debby’s house. My Aunt Debby lives in Long Island which was hit badly by Hurricane Sandy. Considering I don’t see my Aunt that much it looked like the storm hadn't changed the house much. In her backyard I saw some plants that had survived Hurricane Sandy but it looked like there were not many left. Some tree branches were on the ground but it looked like there were not that many. Suddenly my mother dropped my bag into my hand and said for me to get all my stuff unpacked inside. I still didn't understand why I needed such a big bag. We were only gonna stay here for a short time. When I walked in I expected to see my Aunt Debby considering she’s normally always there to greet us. This time was different though. Instead I walk in to find my cousin Nick sleeping on the couch with the TV remote on his lap. That’s when CJ came into the picture. CJ is my cousin’s new puppy who’s a small chocolate lab. Little did we know he was full of surprising. Our first surprise came when Nick finally got up (after CJ licked his face) and brought CJ over to Sophie. Once CJ was on the ground Sophie started to pet him. CJ just stood completely still as Sophie rubbed his back. “He likes me,” Sophie said. Nick had a strange look on his face though. “That’s strange. Normally he’s not like that when he first meets someone,” Nick said. I really think we should have taken that as a warning. Suddenly, CJ stomach started making noises and out came his breakfast onto Sophie’s shoes. “Aw, gross!” Sophie screamed. I started to giggle under my breath. Fortunately for Sophie she didn't have to pick up the mess. After that incident my father told us it was time to go to work. I couldn't believe I didn't notice that dad had already set up his equipment outside. Again CJ decided to get into mischievous. Once we started working my father told me I had to scoop the leaves out of the pool with a net. I tried to get the pole but it was stuck. That’s when I noticed that the net was stuck under a bush. When I looked under the bush I expected to see the net stuck on a stick or something but instead I found CJ trying to tear up the net. Luckily his teeth were not strong enough. Still I’m puzzled about why I couldn't get the net out of his mouth in the first place. It’s probably because CJ had a very tight grip on it or I’m getting a little weak in my arms. Most likely I’m getting weak. After work was over with, my Aunt and Uncle finally showed up. It turns out they were at their house in Florida and hadn't heard of what happened to their plants and trees at the house. Though they had heard of the storm they didn't expect it to be that bad down here. Before I could give my Aunt a hug CJ ran in front of me and jumped on top of her. “I missed you, too CJ,” my Aunt replied. I have to say CJ is a very funny dog. After we said our hello’s it was time for lunch. I asked my Aunt if I could have a roast beef sandwich with cheese and mayonnaise. “Sure thing Duncan,” she answered. When she looked in the fridge there was a puzzled look on her face. “What is it Aunt Debby,” I asked. “I can’t seem to find the roast beef,” Aunt Debby answered. That’s when we heard a chewing noise. I looked around the corner to find CJ trying to open the bag of roast beef. Like I said before, CJ is full of surprises. Soon I got bored of just watching television and walking around the house. Sophie had asked me to play soccer earlier but I said no. My mom however was looking for something to do herself so she agreed to play. I thought that they might still be out there considering Sophie and my mom hadn't been seen inside for awhile. When I walked outside I found them but they weren't playing soccer. Instead they were chasing CJ and trying to get the soccer ball. I’m serious when I say that CJ is a natural at keeping the ball away from his opponents. Finally it was dinner time and I was ready to have homemade ravioli’s. My Aunt makes the best ravioli’s and my dad loves to help out. Soon a whole batch of ravioli’s was set down on the table. I thought they looked delicious. Unfortunately, CJ had the same idea. Once I put one on my plate I saw a small nose trying to nudge at it. Luckily Nick saw it as well. “CJ, no!” he told CJ, “Ravioli is not for you!” CJ wasn't going to give up so easily. He kept trying and trying to get ravioli but my cousin caught him just in time. Near the end of dinner I had one more ravioli on my plate. When no one was looking I passed it to CJ as a treat. But hey, you never heard that from me. Then, after all that ravioli I decided to go to bed. My trip to my aunt’s house was so much fun. I enjoyed it so much that my parents decided we’re going back next year and though CJ was a small bother I can’t wait to see him again as well! Submitted by: "Duncan D."