Vegetable Cannelloni

• VEGETARIAN

Cannelloni

1. 4 dried black or shiitake mushrooms
2. 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3. 1 1/4 pounds bok choy, stems reserved for another use and leaves finely chopped
4. 4 scallions, minced plus 2 thinly sliced scallions for garnish
5. 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
6. 1 cup ricotta cheese
7. 1 large egg yolk
8. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground
9. black pepper
10. Salt
11. 24 wonton skins
12. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13. 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons hot Mushroom Broth (recipe follows)

Mushroom Broth

1. 2 ounces dried black or shiitake mushrooms
2. 1 tablespoon canola oil
3. 3 tablespoons minced shallots
4. 10 ounces white mushrooms, quartered
5. 2 quarter-size slices of fresh ginger

1. Soak the mushrooms in 1 cup of warm water until soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and discard the stems. Finely dice the mushroom caps.
2. Heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add the bok choy, minced scallions and ginger and sauté over moderately high heat until wilted. Stir in the mushrooms. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Stir in the ricotta, egg yolk, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil; stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Dip the wonton skins in the water one at a time and then spread them out on a clean towel.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a pastry brush, grease an 8-by-11-inch baking dish with some of the melted butter. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the vegetable filling into the center of each wonton skin and roll up to form a log. Place the cannelloni in a single layer, just touching, in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the Mushroom Broth. Bake the cannelloni for 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Place 3 cannelloni in each soup plate and spoon 1/4 cup Mushroom Broth around each serving. Garnish with the sliced scallions and serve.
6. In a small bowl, soak the dried mushrooms in 2 cups of warm water until soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Heat the oil in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and ginger. Stir in the dried mushrooms and their soaking liquid along with 6 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over moderate heat until the broth is reduced to 4 cups, about 40 minutes. Strain the broth.