Author: Emily Gautreaux

DIY Trip Planning vs. Using A Travel Agent

Once upon a time, about 20 years ago, you needed to use a travel agent to book a trip. Your travel agency would book your flights, give you a stack of maps and brochures, and they might even highlight the roads to take on the highway map if you were driving to your destination. Then, the Internet came around. In the world of Google Flights, and better travel rewards credit cards, and the many different flight booking sites, do people still use travel agencies?  If you’re like many budget travelers, you probably started booking your own trips yourself online in the early 2000s and thought travel agents went extinct. That’s actually the farthest thing from the truth. Sure, travel agents and agencies are not as common as they once were, but, they are still in demand. In fact, 34% of Millenials used an offline travel agent in 2017 (and many others with some crazy travel requests)! You know, the same generation that can send you a text message or tweet but won’t have a face-to-face conversation with you. I’m surprised that many know what a travel agency is.

How to find a reputable travel agent?

You can perform a quick Google search for “travel agents near me” and you will most likely find at least one private office. Or, you can always look for your local AAA location as well.

Why would anybody use a travel agency when you book the same flight or hotel room as the agent and maybe even save a few dollars in the process?

There are a few reasons actually. Let’s break those reason down below.

By finding a travel agent who is an expert on the region you want to visit, they can book the best flights, hotels, and even make top-notch recommendations of where to eat and sight-see. If you have never been to another continent, what looks appealing on the Internet doesn’t always work out so well once you arrive and begin to play tourist. Since the agent has already “been there, done that,” they can immediately tell you where to go so you can maximize every minute of the trip.

Not every travel agent is going to know everything about every corner of the globe. Travel Leaders can help you find an agent who specializes in the area you want to visit. For example, you can find an agent that specializes in beach weddings, Riviera Mexico, or Hawaii.

Travel Agents Aren’t That Much More Expensive
The Internet has driven the cost down for many items and services, travel agents included. To remain competitive, travel agents cannot charge the same fees they did before anyone could book their own dream vacation themselves. Travel agents do receive a small commission from the airlines and hotels when they book your trip, but, this helps keep your travel costs down.

Some agents might not charge any additional fees, but, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $50 per person to book your trip for you. If you can afford the convenience or simply do not have the time to research your own flights, hotels, and sightseeing itinerary this can be money well-spent.

If you own one of the best travel rewards cards like the Capital One Venture or a Chase Sapphire Preferred, you have complimentary access to the Amex or Chase travel concierge. You tell them where you want to travel or even what special event you want to attend in your hometown and they will make it happen for no additional fee.

You Have a Complex Trip
Many great free, online tools exist that make booking a complex trip look extremely easy. Any DIY traveler needs to use Google Flights, Momondo, or Skiplagged (hidden city fares) to research a one-way, roundtrip, or multi-city fare. But, buying your plane tickets is only one side of the equation.

If you don’t have the time to research or simply can’t seem to put all the pieces to the travel puzzle together, don’t be afraid to call a travel agent. After all, it’s their job to book these complex fares so that you can have the trip of a lifetime. How often would you regret not going on a complex trip because you were afraid to ask for help?

Why People No Longer Use a Travel Agency
There will always be a demand for travel agents. That doesn’t mean you will use one to book most of your trips though. Here are several reasons why you won’t use a travel agency.

You Want Rewards Flights and Nights
One reason why you might book your own travel is so you can redeem your credit card rewards points. For example, there you can transfer and redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you earn from your Chase credit cards to book award flights on just about any airline and you don’t have to pay a dime (okay, maybe fees and taxes) to fly or stay at a quality hotel. Travel rewards card benefits have improved so much, you can even buy your own ticket to the Emmys and other exclusive events just for owning an elite travel credit card.

When you use a travel agency, your only payment method will most likely be cash. That means you will have more rewards points to use next time, but, that doesn’t necessarily help you now.

If you need help booking an award flight, you can call the airline when you transfer your points or the credit card travel concierge when you try to redeem your points through their travel portal (i.e. AmexTravel.com or the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal).

Plenty of Free Travel Advice Online
Not only can you book your travel directly from the airline or hotel, you can also research everything there is to do and even find the best flights from online travel blogs (like Johnny Jet!). Whether you want to research the best travel rewards card, things to do in Ireland (or anywhere else), and also the best award travel options, you can find all that information online.

Travel agents might know about the best places to stay and the must-see tourist sites, but, their job is to book a travel reservation that you pay for. If you want to book award travel or simply relish DIY travel, you can access all these resources online for free from travel aficionados that have witnessed the same sights and sounds that you will soon experience yourself!

Summary on Travel Agencies
People of all generations till use travel agencies. The Internet has made it easier than ever for you to book your own travel, and in a lot of cases, you may never need a travel agent. But, booking travel is the sole profession for travel agents and the good agents can be extremely helpful when you have complex routes or simply don’t have the time to research and book the travel yourself.

For more travel tips, click here.

 

Vegan Pizza Recipe

This vegan pizza is a perfect weeknight fix and is quite the crowd-pleaser. It’s an easy base to add to as well, in case you’re one of those people who eat pineapple on pizza and want to see how it goes with veggie meatballs.

Why go vegan?  Several reasons:

  1. For Your Health

Well-planned vegan diets follow healthy eating guidelines, and contain all the nutrients that our bodies need. Both the British Dietetic Association and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognise that they are suitable for every age and stage of life. Some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Going vegan is a great opportunity to learn more about nutrition and cooking, and improve your diet. Getting your nutrients from plant foods allows more room in your diet for health-promoting options like whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables, which are packed full of beneficial fibre, vitamins and minerals.

 

  1. For The Animals
    Preventing the exploitation of animals is not the only reason for becoming vegan, but for many it remains the key factor in their decision to go vegan and stay vegan. Having emotional attachments with animals may form part of that reason, while many believe that all sentient creatures have a right to life and freedom. Specifics aside, avoiding animal products is one of the most obvious ways you can take a stand against animal cruelty and animal exploitation everywhere. A more detailed overview on why being vegan demonstrates true compassion for animals can be found here.

 

  1. For The Environment

The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment – from crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farm to fork. The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. In Brazil alone, the equivalent of 5.6 million acres of land is used to grow soya beans for animals in Europe. This land contributes to developing world malnutrition by driving impoverished populations to grow cash crops for animal feed, rather than food for themselves. On the other hand, considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet, making the switch to veganism one of the easiest, most enjoyable and most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment. For more on how veganism is the way forward for the environment, click here.

  1. For People

Just like veganism is the sustainable option when it comes to looking after our planet, plant-based living is also a more sustainable way of feeding the human family. A plant-based diet requires only one third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. With rising global food and water insecurity due to a myriad of environmental and socio-economic problems, there’s never been a better time to adopt a more sustainable way of living. Avoiding animal products is not just one of the simplest ways an individual can reduce the strain on food as well as other resources, it’s the simplest way to take a stand against inefficient food systems which disproportionately affects the poorest people all over the world. Read more here on how vegan diets can help people.

 

Technique tip: For the “mozzarella” sauce, if you are not using a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, soak cashews overnight or boil for 10 minutes and drain. This will soften them and ensure a silky smooth cream. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for up to one month and thawed before using.

Ingredients

MEATBALL PIZZA
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 pound pizza dough
1 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella sauce
1 cup Vegetarian Meatballs
Optional toppings: Caramelized onions, fresh basil, sliced tomato, crushed red pepper

“MOZZARELLA” SAUCE
1½ cup raw cashews
1 cup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1½ teaspoons sea salt
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly brush a large baking sheet (approximately 9- x 13-inch) with olive oil.

2. Sprinkle the bottom of the baking sheet with cornmeal. On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a large rectangle. Fit it into the baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Spread enough tomato sauce to generously cover the dough, leaving about a ¾-inch border. Top with meatballs and any optional toppings. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until edges are golden.

3. For the “mozzarella” sauce, in a high powered blender, combine cashews and water. Blend on high until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, salt, garlic, onion powder, and cornstarch and blend until smooth.

4. Remove pizza from oven, lightly drizzle with Mozzarella Sauce, then bake for 1 minute more. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing. If desired, season with crushed red pepper before eating.

Click Here for more vegan recipes.  Click Here for more general recipes.

 

Israel Looking to Louisiana for Drilling Expertise

Israel may be looking to Louisiana companies for help extracting natural gas found in the Mediterranean Sea.

Gov. John Bel Edwards met with Israel’s energy minister Yuval Steinitz in Jerusalem Sunday (Oct. 28) to discuss how Louisiana companies could assist Israel with removing the natural gas. The governor said he wants Israel to be energy independent, which would make the small country less dependent on its neighbors in the Middle East.

“They’re looking for experience and expertise and, of course, we’ve been doing that in Louisiana for a long time,” Edwards said.

Edwards is currently visiting Israel to map out the details. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who is in Israel with the governor, said the meeting with Israeli energy officials was meant to establish a relationship that will hopefully lead to a follow up meeting. Energy executives already operating in Israel are also scheduled to chat with the governor and others from Louisiana Thursday, according to a press release.

“We have some opportunities for Louisiana companies to potentially catch the eye of Israel,” Dardenne said.

The meeting with Israel’s energy minister is part of a week long-trade mission Edwards is taking to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Edwards is expected to meet with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday, according to a press release sent by the governor’s staff.

Before the business meetings began, Edwards and his wife, Donna, took in some religious sites and tourist attractions on the trip. The governor and first lady visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance center, and attended mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which Christians recognize as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

“It is a tremendous opportunity for me and Donna, as practicing Catholic Christians, to come over and actually see the places we’ve been reading about and studying about and praying about all of our lives,” Edwards said.

International business relations hasn’t always been easy for Louisianan politicians.  Dealings are often fraught with controversy. Just in January, the NEw Orleans city council caused major backlash with it’s Pro-Palestinian stance. They faced a torrent of criticism for its decision to unanimously approve a resolution pushed by the New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee that critics say is an effort to marginalize Israel.

The language of the resolution, which the Palestinian Solidarity Committee said was drafted in cooperation with Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell’s council office after several meetings with her, does not specifically mention Israel. But it does resolve to create a committee to “review direct investments and contracts for inclusion on, or removal from, the city’s list of corporate securities and contractual partners.”

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, in a statement later Friday, said the resolution was “ill advised, gratuitous and does not reflect the policy of the city of New Orleans.” He also said his administration won’t change contracting policies.

A spokeswoman for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Caitrin Gladow, said the resolution’s language is consistent with a movement known as Boycott, Divest and Sanctions, or BDS, which she said has been used to advance anti-Israel causes. She described the movement as divisive and opposed to the goals of the organization, which believes in “a two-state solution.”

The local Jewish Federation was also sharply critical of the council’s decision to suspend the rules to add the resolution to the agenda, which didn’t give the Jewish Federation time to review the resolution and assemble opposition to speak at Thursday’s meeting.

One of the New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee members specifically mentioned Middle East politics ahead of the council vote, saying the City Council shouldn’t invest in companies such as Caterpillar because its equipment has been used to bulldoze the homes of Palestinians. In an interview, The Palestinian Solidarity Committee’s Tabitha Mustafa, said that the resolution isn’t aimed at Israel specifically.

“There’s no effort to marginalize Israel, but there’s certainly an effort to make sure that the city is not contracting with companies or institutions that violate human rights,” Mustafa said. “If Israel is one of those countries,” she added, then the city should divest.

The association with the BDS movement is what’s prompting much of the backlash against the council’s action, including from U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, state Sen. Conrad Appel, both Republicans, and the Anti-Defamation League. Cassidy said in a statement Friday that the resolution “is rooted in anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel.

“This measure stands in solidarity with a Palestinian government that routinely sponsors and encourages terrorism,” Cassidy said. “I hope the council recognizes their error and reverses this misguided decision.”

It’s not clear that council members realized how controversial the resolution would become. City Councilwoman Susan Guidry said during the meeting that she didn’t have time to review the resolution and understand its implications. On Friday, Councilwoman Stacy Head, who co-sponsored the resolution, also said she didn’t fully grasp the reaction that started unfolding late Thursday.

“When I saw it early this week, I naively thought it was yet another example of the Council’s historical pattern of putting forward feel-good resolutions, which have no legal effect,” Head said in a statement. “I took the resolution’s language at face value without understanding its intent. My co-sponsorship should not be taken as a slight to the Jewish community in New Orleans, which continues to contribute so much to our city.”

In his statement, Landrieu said his administration “has been and will remain committed to human rights both in New Orleans and across the globe.” He said since the council’s vote he’s “heard a variety of concerns from a cross-section of constituents about the potential impact of this resolution on our community.”

Cantrell spokesman David Winkler-Schmit said the resolution came as the result of the Welcoming Cities effort. In 2015, Cantrell pushed through a resolution to officially designate New Orleans as a place open to immigrants and non-English speakers.

“There is absolutely no intention on the part of the mayor-elect to be a part of any process that would be considered anti-Israel,” Winkler-Schmit said, adding that resolutions do not have the power of law and only mark the potential starting point in the process to draft an ordinance. He did not indicate any such ordinance was planned.

The Anti-Defamation League agreed, issuing a statement criticizing the process.

“The Council’s adoption of this resolution without any public notice or the opportunity to promote alternative views was both a deep disappointment and a one-sided, undemocratic process,” the group said. “Although this measure does not reference BDS or Israel, it is clear from video of the hearing what supporters for this controversial measure thought it was about.”

City Councilman Jason Williams, whom the Palestinian Solidarity Committee said introduced the resolution, sought to portray the resolution as similar to past efforts to encourage governments to divest from South Africa to protest apartheid. But pro-Israel critics have cautioned against aligning anti-apartheid movements with the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions effort.

“South African apartheid rigidly enforced racial laws,” Benjamin Pogrund, the author of a book investigating accusations of apartheid in Israel, wrote in the New York Times in March. “Israel is not remotely comparable.”

Williams issued a statement Friday afternoon.

“My support of this measure was not, and is not, intended to in any way be reflective of either an anti-Israel or pro-BDS sentiment,” Williams said. “Any process or examining committee will be locally rooted and made up of New Orleanians from every walk of life.”

Max Geller, a member of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee and the Jewish Voice for Peace, disagrees. He said he thinks the apartheid description is apt, and he questioned why the Jewish Federation released a statement that described BDS as having “inherently anti-Semitic components” and “designed to challenge Israel’s economic viability and very right to exist.”

“I don’t understand what the Jewish Federation is so afraid of. If their position is that Israel isn’t committing Israeli human rights abuses, they have nothing to worry about,” Geller said. He described the City Council’s resolution as a broad effort among several different causes in the city to target countries and companies that engage in human rights abuses, including Honduras.

For more information on Louisiana’s international business deals, click here. For more general Louisiana business news, click here.

Travel to The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains was nominated as the third most valuable place in the world to travel.

The best-value list compiles destinations where travelers can go to both save money, and experience unique things that make their dollars worthwhile. Choosing destinations for the list balances the cost of going to them with opportunities travelers have when they get there.

The mountains appeared on Lonely Planet’s list of best places to travel for their value alongside the Maldives, a city in Poland, and Houston. They were only beat by the Southern Nile Valley in Egypt and Łódź, a city in Poland known for a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

The list compiles the travel destinations that provide the best experiences for the least cost, all of which were decided on by a panel of travel writers. They decided which destinations deserved a place on the list after compiling results from a survey handed out to people working with Lonely Planet and from ideas created during brainstorming events held in their offices, worldwide.

This year’s committee included Tony Wheeler, the founder of the company. Lonely Planet began in 1973, and has since produced a variety of guidebooks and posts travel-themed articles on their website. Their guidebooks are tailored for exploring different regions, such as a guidebook for exploring Australia or Asia.

Lonely Planet also publishes travel guides for across the world, including an annual publication ranking different destinations in a variety of ways. The 2019 Best in Travel guidebook also includes list for the best cities to travel to, the best countries and the best regions.

While other lists consider the opportunities a region offers travelers, the best in value list also takes into account the time and money it takes to get to a destination.

“The Great Smoky Mountains are so accessible,” said Trisha Ping, Lonely Planet’s Eastern U.S. destinations editor. “Other national parks are less accessible because it’s a long drive or you have to camp to see anything.  We wanted to call out and highlight the value of the Smokies,” Ping said. “The list provides the places which give the most utility to travelers.”

What’s great about the Smokies?
The Great Smoky Mountains earned third place on the list because it is beautiful year-round, according to Lonely Planet. The mountains are also free to enter, which helps travelers’ dollars go farther than other, more expensive travel destinations.

The Great Smoky Mountains cover 522,427 acres between North Carolina and Tennessee. Their highest peak at Clingmans Dome reaches 6,643 feet, and the mountains host more than 400,000 hikers every year

At the same time, its smallest mountain reaches only 875 feet and easier trails, like the 1.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail, take travelers’ breath away with their sights, not their difficulty.

“There are easy trails to walk with the kids or with grandparents,” Ping said. “And there are harder trails, too.”

Mountains on the rise
The area has had two years to rebuild after wildfires devastated the area, Gatlinburg in particular. The fires killed 14 people, burned more than 10,000 acres (15 square miles) inside the national park, and 6,000 acres in other parts of the area. At least 14,000 area residents and tourists were forced to evacuate, while over 2,000 buildings were damaged and/or destroyed.

The Great Smoky Mountains wildfires were the deadliest wildfires in the eastern U.S. since the Great Fires of 1947, which killed 16 people in Maine. In addition, the fires were also the most deadly and destructive of the 2016 Southeastern United States wildfires.

Now that the fires have been extinguished, the mountains have been on the rebound. In 2016, the park received 11.3 million visits.

As a result of the mountains’ popularity, Lonely Planet is planning a guidebook for the park set to be released late next year, according to Ping.

It will be the first guidebook the publication has made for a national park in the eastern U.S.

To plan your trip to the smokies, click here.  For more travel news and tips, click here.

 

Microsoft Founder Paul Allen Leaves Legacy

Paul Allen, one of the world’s most brilliant minds, died on Monday, October 15, 2018. According to the statement released by his representatives, the 65-year-old succumbed to complications related to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. Though best known as the co-founder of Microsoft, the company that revolutionized the personal computing industry, Allen’s legacy extends beyond technology to science, sports, and even music.

Allen and Bill Gates, Microsoft’s other co-founder, met at Lakeside School, a private middle and high school, in Seattle, Washington. Though Gates was two years Allen’s junior, the two bonded over their passion for computers. Upon graduating, Allen went to Washington State University to pursue a degree in computer science, but dropped out after two years and joined Honeywell in Boston, MA as a programmer.

In early 1975, Allen saw the Altair 8800 featured on the cover of Popular Electronics magazine. Unlike other computers, which were built for corporations, this model was designed to appeal to individual consumers. Realizing the potential of software, he convinced Gates, then a sophomore at Harvard University, to drop out and join him to start what he called Micro-Soft. After creating software to improve the performance of the Altair 8800, the pair went on to design software for the Apple II and Radio Shack’s TRS-80. The experience eventually led to the development of the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system, which currently boasts over 400 million users worldwide.

In 1983, after being diagnosed with Stage 1-A Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Allen decided to leave the company to focus on his health. However, he retained his share of Microsoft, which went on to become one of the world’s biggest technology companies, turning him and Gates, who until recently was the world’s richest man, into billionaires.

While Allen’s cancer was in remission by 1986, he never returned to the company. Instead, he spent the rest of his life donating funds to worthwhile causes and pursuing his varied interests, which ranged from space exploration to sports to music.

The numerous beneficiaries of his generosity include the Allen Institute of Brain Science, which focuses on the human brain and artificial intelligence research, and the Allen Institute for Cell Science, which investigates cures for various diseases. The philanthropist also donated funds to conduct a census to highlight the declining population of African elephants and pledged $100 million to battle Ebola in Nigeria. Closer to home, his company Vulcan Investments partnered with the US Department of Transportation to launch the Smart City Challenge – an attempt to lower greenhouse gases in American cities and towns. Through his film company, Vulcan Productions, Allen funded several award-winning documentaries to call attention to global issues like illegal ivory trade and ocean pollution.

An avid basketball fan, Allen purchased the Portland Trailblazers in 1988. Under his leadership, the team made it to the NBA Finals twice, reached the Western Conference Finals three additional times, and completed a string of 21 seasons with a postseason appearance. In 1996, Allen purchased the Seattle Seahawks to prevent them from moving to Southern California. His support has helped transform the team to one of the best in the National Football League.

The business magnate was also very passionate about music. A fan of American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jimi Hendrix since the age of 16, Allen not only mastered the electric guitar but also recorded an album with his band, the Underthinkers, in 2013. His affinity for Hendrix and rock music also led to the establishment of the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. Allen also loved to sail and owned some of the world’s biggest yachts, including the 414-foot (126m) Octopus. It was large enough to accommodate two helicopters, a submarine, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and, of course, a full-size recording studio where the entrepreneur could unleash his inner Hendrix.

Unfortunately, Allen was diagnosed with the more aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in 2009. However, he managed to keep the disease in check until October 1, 2018, when he revealed to the world that the cancer had returned. While the billionaire was optimistic he would beat it yet again, the affliction had advanced too far, and he passed away just two weeks after the announcement. Though the philanthropist, who donated over $2 billion to charitable causes over his lifetime, is gone, he will continue to make an impact on the world through the Giving Pledge. The commitment, which Allen, along with 184 people from 22 countries, signed, was started by Bill Gates to get the world’s richest to donate a bulk of their wealth towards important causes.

As Allen succinctly put it, “As long as we all work together – with both urgency and determination – there are no limits to what we can achieve”

R.I.P Paul Allen
(January 21, 1953 – October 15, 2018)

For more information about Paul Allen’s philanthropies, click here.  More other philanthropist news, click here.

 

Autumn Ravioli With Pine Nuts

There are no two ways about it, the first time you make ravioli, it will be a little difficult. The beauty of it is, after only a little practice of handling the pasta dough, you will enjoy it so much you may even become obsessed.

The best way to make your homemade ravioli is using the popular Kitchenaid Stand Up Mixer.  It has a pasta attachment that works beautifully.  The trick is getting to know your dough. Good pasta dough is firm and leathery to touch, but also pliable.  It should not stick to your fingers or crumble and fall apart. Many factors, such as humidity, brand of flour used, and size of eggs, may affect dough consistency.

To test for correct dough consistency, pinch a small amount of dough together after mixing with the flat beater. If the dough stays together without sticking to your fingers,it should work well.
• If dough seems too dry, add a small amount of water to reach the correct dough consistency. Repeat the folding and kneading processes.
• If dough seems too wet, add a small amount of flour to reach the correct dough consistency. Repeat the folding, and kneading processes.

Preparing pasta sheets with the roller attachment
For best results, the Pasta Roller attachment should be used for preparing pasta sheets.
A roller setting of 4 or 5 on the Pasta Roller is recommended.
If rolled thinner, the Ravioli pockets may tear when filled.

Width:  Pasta sheets should be the full width of the Ravioli maker (also full width of Pasta Roller) ( 5-3/4 “) to assure that outside rows of pockets seal.

Square ends:  It is helpful to cut the ends of the pasta sheets “square” before folding the sheets in half to begin making the ravioli. This is because if one or both ends are “slanted,” all of the ravioli pockets at the end will not have both sides of pasta to seal.

Texture:  Make sure that the dough is firm and leathery to touch.
Dough that is too sticky may tear when processing through the ravioli maker.
Dough that is too dry will not seal the ravioli and the sides may get caught on the sides of the ravioli maker and rip.  Patting the dough with flour on the outside before running it through the Ravioli Maker helps to make the pasta come through much easier.

Size of Ravioli: The KRAV produces three ravioli at a time (across).
There is a small perforated piece of dough that needs to be removed between each ravioli in order to separate them. They are square in shape, so they are approximately 1-1/2″ squares.

Preparing pasta sheets by hand
If you do not own a KitchenAid Pasta Sheet Roller, pasta sheets can be prepared by hand.
Pasta sheets should be rolled out to a thickness of 1/16″ (0.156 cm) and a width of 5-1/2″ (13.75 cm) in order to pass through the Ravioli Maker. See additional tips in section above.

Cooking and storing ravioli
Separated ravioli can be cooked right away. Boil in 6 qt (5.7 L) salted water until al dente or slightly firm to the bite, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
Separated ravioli can be stored in the refrigerator overnight. For longer storage, individually freeze ravioli on a baking sheet.
Then store in the freezer in a sealed container

Pumpkin Puree:
7 tablespoons butter
3 shallots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, peeled, sliced
4 1/2 pounds sugar pie pumpkin, peeled, diced
1/4 nutmeg, grated

Ravioli Filling:
11 ounces pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons olive oil
7 ounces 1/2-inch cubes peeled sugar pie pumpkin
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pasta Dough:
1 1/3 pounds all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
6 large egg yolks
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Sauce:
8 1/2 tablespoons butter
25 fresh sage leaves
Juice of 2 lemons
2/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 1/2 ounces Parmesan shavings

To make the pumpkin puree:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté until soft, but not colored. Add the pumpkin and some freshly grated nutmeg then cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove the lid and continue cooking until all the liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a blender and process until smooth.

To make the ravioli filling:
Place the pumpkin puree in a small saucepan and leave over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly and making sure it doesn’t catch. Leave to cool.

In a small non-stick frying pan, heat a little olive oil and cook the diced pumpkin for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until it turns golden brown. Leave to cool.

Mix the cooled puree, diced pumpkin, tarragon, and Parmesan together and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

To make the sauce and serve:
Drop the ravioli into a large saucepan of boiling salted water and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until they rise to the surface.

Place a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and stir until melted and a light brown color. Add the sage leaves and lemon juice and remove the pan from the heat.

Drain the ravioli with a slotted spoon and place 3 on each serving plate. Spoon the butter and sage mixture over and around the ravioli and garnish with pine nuts and Parmesan shavings.

For more delicious recipes, click here.