Toasted ravioli is a dish that originated in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. It is typically made by breading and deep-frying ravioli filled with meat, cheese, or a combination of the two. The dish is often served as an appetizer or snack, and it can be found on the menu at many Italian-American restaurants and bars in the St. Louis area. The origins of toasted ravioli are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been created by Italian immigrants in the 1940s or 1950s.
| Ingredients: |
| 1 package of beef or cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen) |
| 1 cup all-purpose flour |
| 2 eggs, beaten |
| 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs |
| Vegetable oil, for frying |
| Marinara sauce, for dipping |
Step-by-step cooking instructions of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli:
Step-1 Bring a sizable saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Add the ravioli and cook it until it floats to the top or until it is cooked in accordance with the directions on the package. Let the ravioli cool after draining.
Step-2 Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the breadcrumbs.
Step-3 Dredges each ravioli in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the ravioli in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the ravioli in the breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs onto the ravioli to adhere.
Step-4 Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded ravioli to the skillet. Fry the ravioli in batches, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step-5 Use a slotted spoon to remove the toasted ravioli from the skillet and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step-6 Serve the toasted ravioli warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutritional value of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli:
Toasted ravioli, like most deep-fried foods, is high in calories and fat. A serving of toasted ravioli made with beef or cheese-filled ravioli and fried in oil can contain several hundred calories and a significant amount of fat, depending on the recipe and the portion size. Here are some general estimates based on a serving of fried, store bought beef filled toasted ravioli (6 pieces):
| Calories: Approximately 240 |
| Fat: About 15 g |
| Saturated fat: 5 g |
| Cholesterol: 20 mg |
| Sodium: 480 mg |
| Carbohydrates: 18 g |
| Protein: 9 g |
However the nutritional values may vary depending on the source of the ravioli, ingredients used, and cooking methods. To reduce the calorie and fat content of this dish, you can try baking the ravioli instead of frying them, using a leaner filling such as spinach and ricotta, and using whole wheat flour, bread crumbs and/or egg whites in the breading.
It’s always good to be aware of the nutritional content and make a conscious decision to consume it in moderation.
Background History of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli:
The origins of toasted ravioli, a dish that originated in the city of St. Louis, Missouri in the United States, are somewhat unclear. However it is said that the dish was first served at the Oldani’s restaurant located in the the Hill neighborhood in St Louis. The Hill is a historic neighborhood that has been home to many Italian immigrants since the turn of the 20th century.
It is believed that the dish was created by Italian immigrants in the 1940s or 1950s, which were looking for ways to make use of leftover ravioli. They decided to bread and deep fry the ravioli, creating a crispy and delicious dish that was perfect as a snack or an appetizer. The dish quickly became popular in St. Louis, and it can now be found on the menu at many Italian-American restaurants and bars in the area.
Toasted ravioli has become such a staple of St. Louis cuisine that it is now considered one of the city’s most iconic dishes. Many locals consider toasted ravioli as a must-have when visiting St. Louis, and it’s also often served as a representation of the city’s culinary heritage.
It is also a unique dish that you would not find in Italy or any other place, it is truly a “St. Louis Original,” which people admire and value.
| Advantages of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli: | |
| 1 | Quick and easy to make: The recipe for toasted ravioli is simple and easy to follow, it can be made in a short amount of time, making it a perfect dish for serving as an appetizer or a snack. |
| 2 | Versatile: Toasted ravioli can be made with a variety of fillings such as beef, cheese or a combination of both, making it a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes. |
| 3 | Can be made ahead of time: Toasted ravioli can be breaded and stored in the refrigerator until ready to fry, which makes it easy to prepare ahead of time for parties or events. |
| 4 | Crowd-pleaser: Toasted ravioli is a dish that is loved by many, and it’s a great option to serve when entertaining a crowd. |
| 5 | Great for leftovers: The dish is great for using leftover ravioli, thus reducing food waste and helps to create a new dish. |
| Disadvantages of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli: | |
| 1 | High in calories and fat: Toasted ravioli is deep-fried, which makes it high in calories and fat, which can be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts or frequently. |
| 2 | Expensive: Toasted ravioli can be costly to make, especially if made with high-quality ingredients such as homemade ravioli or organic bread crumbs. |
| 3 | Messy to make: Toasted ravioli can be messy to make, as it involves breading and deep-frying, which can be time-consuming and require a lot of clean-up. |
| 4 | Not suitable for all diets: Toasted ravioli may not be suitable for all diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb diets. |
| 5 | Not authentic: This dish is a St Louis original, and not found in Italy or any other place, which some traditionalist might view as not being authentic Italian food. |
Compare with similar meals of Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli:
Toasted ravioli is similar to other breaded and deep-fried dishes such as:
| 1 | Fried Mozzarella Sticks: Mozzarella sticks are long, thin pieces of mozzarella cheese that are breaded and deep-fried. Like toasted ravioli, they are often served as an appetizer or snack and can be found on the menu at many Italian-American restaurants. |
| 2 | Arancini: These are fried balls of risotto, often filled with mozzarella, meat, or vegetables. They are very popular in Italy, particularly in Sicily. They are made by rolling the cold risotto into balls, then breading and deep-frying them. |
| 3 | Calamari: Calamari is a dish made from breaded and deep-fried squid. It is a popular seafood dish and is often served as an appetizer or snack in Italian-American and Mediterranean cuisine. |
| 4 | Chicken Parmesan: This dish typically consists of breaded and deep-fried With mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce, the chicken breast. It’s a staple of Italian-American cuisine, and is often served as a main dish. |
All of these dishes share a similar preparation method of breading and deep frying, they all offer a crispy exterior and a warm, soft interior. However, each dish offers a different taste and texture, and the filling or toppings can change the flavor profile.
Mostly questions asked about Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli:
1. What is Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli?
Missouri’s Toasted Ravioli is a dish that originated in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. It is typically made by breading and deep-frying ravioli filled with meat, cheese, or a combination of the two.
2. Where did Toasted Ravioli originate?
Toasted ravioli originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States and it is believed to have been created by Italian immigrants in the 1940s or 1950s.
3. How is Toasted Ravioli traditionally served?
Toasted ravioli is typically served as an appetizer or snack and it is often served with marinara sauce for dipping.
4. What are the ingredients of Toasted Ravioli?
The ingredients of Toasted ravioli typically consist of beef or cheese ravioli, all-purpose flour, eggs, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, vegetable oil for frying and marinara sauce for dipping.
5. Is Toasted Ravioli healthy?
Toasted ravioli, like most deep-fried foods, is high in calories and fat. However, by baking instead of frying, using leaner fillings, and using whole wheat flour, bread crumbs and/or egg whites in the breading, can make it a healthier option. It’s always good to be aware of the nutritional content and consume it in moderation.
6. Why is it called toasted ravioli?
According to legend, Oldani chose the moniker “toasted” ravioli because he preferred it to “fried.”
7. Does toasted ravioli have meat in it?
When making traditional toasted ravioli, meat-filled ravioli is coated in bread crumbs and fried until golden and crisp. Then it is presented with marinara sauce for dipping and fresh Parmesan cheese as a garnish. Actually, it was a little challenging for me to locate square ravioli that were filled with meat.
8. Can you reheat toasted ravioli?
Until toasted, bake at 400 for 10 to 20 minutes. In order to reheat toasted ravioli: Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Air Fryer: Heat up by frying at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes.
9. How long do toasted ravioli last in the fridge?
Refrigeration instructions: Toasted ravioli leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
10. What can I add to ravioli to make it taste better?
Choosing to sauté them in olive oil with veggies and herbs will help you keep things simple. Traditional cheese ravioli goes nicely with store-bought pesto, canned crushed tomatoes, or jarred marinara. While keeping things straightforward, our pesto ravioli with spinach and tomatoes recipe doesn’t skimp on flavor.
