An Asian-Italian take on spinach cannelloni

By: JIM ROMANOFF | The Associated Press
Published: July 20, 2011

East and West combine for these cannelloni, which are made by rolling a very Italian-style filling of spinach, cheese, mushrooms and roasted red peppers in Asian-style egg roll wrappers.

Ricotta cheese combined with tangy goat cheese gives the filling some bite, but if you prefer, you can use all ricotta for milder results. Here we've called for jarred marinara sauce as a convenience but, by all means, use homemade sauce if you have it.

Look for fresh egg roll wrappers in the produce section (often near the tofu) in most supermarkets, or purchase them at Asian specialty markets.

Spinach, Goat Cheese and Roasted Pepper Cannelloni

Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes (30 minutes active)

Makes 5 servings.

3 cups jarred marinara sauce, divided
1½ cups part-skim ricotta cheese
4-ounce package soft goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
10 6-inch egg roll wrappers
1½ cups baby spinach
12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into ½-inch wide strips
10 small cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the oven to 375°.

Spread ½ cup of the marinara sauce over the bottom a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, parsley, basil and cornstarch. Mix with a fork until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Lay an egg roll wrapper on a dry surface. In a strip along one edge, spoon about 1/4 cup of cheese mixture. Top with a bit of the spinach, roasted peppers and mushrooms. Roll the wrapper into a tube around the fillings, moistening the edge with water and pressing it firmly to seal.

Transfer to the prepared

baking dish. Repeat with the

remaining wrappers and filling.

Pour the remaining marinara

over the cannelloni, completely

covering them. Bake for 30

minutes. Sprinkle with Parme-

san, then bake 5 to 10 minutes

longer.

Nutrients per serving:

371 calories; 111 calories from fat;

12 grams fat (7 grams satu-