Garden Puree Bruschetta With Ricotta Salata Recipes

GARDEN PUREE BRUSCHETTA WITH RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• 2. Add the peas, asparagus tips, haricots verts, and green onions and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. (If you're using frozen peas, you can throw them in during the last couple of minutes, to thaw.) Drain, transfer to a bowl of salted ice water to stop cooking, and drain again. Puree the rest in a food processor with the ricotta, a drizzle of oil, and salt and pepper, to taste. Set it aside until ready to use.
• 3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• 4. Make the bruschetta by cutting thin slices of the baguette. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and bake in a hot oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and rub with peeled garlic cloves while still warm.
• 5. To serve, spoon the garden puree onto the toasted bread. Garnish with a large shaving of ricotta salada and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

HERBED RICOTTA BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or turn a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside. Cut the bread in half and cut each half into 6 thick slices to make 12 slices total.
• When the grill is hot, brush the bread with olive oil and grill on each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the grill and rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Serve 2 warm slices per person with the green salad on the side.
• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
• Place the salad greens in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to moisten. Toss and serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT CAPONATA BRUSCHETTA WITH RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Brush the tomatoes and eggplant with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes each side. Grill the tomatoes until charred all over, about 8 minutes. Remove the eggplant and tomatoes from the heat and cut into dice.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a large saute pan. Add the celery and onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the eggplant and tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the olives, vinegar, raisins, capers, sugar, chile flakes, a big splash olive oil, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil and parsley and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer the caponata to a bowl and keep at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. The caponata can be made 1 day in advance, covered and refrigerated. Bring the caponata to room temperature before serving.
• Meanwhile, grill the bread on both sides until slightly charred, about 30 seconds each side. Remove the bread from the grill and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each slice of bread with some of the caponata and sprinkle with the ricotta salata. Drizzle the top of each slice of bread with more olive oil and scatter basil on top.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALATA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a small skillet cook shallots in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Stir in tomato and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 30 seconds, or until just heated through. In a bowl toss together tomato mixture with cheese, chives, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste and mound about 1 tablespoon on oiled side of each toast.
• To make toasts:
• Prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• With a serrated knife cut bread crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Grill slices on a rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp outside but still soft inside. Alternatively, slices may be broiled in batches under a broiler about 4 inches from heat 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until golden. Rub toasts with garlic on one side and lightly brush same side with oil. Toasts may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container. Makes about 45 toasts.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALATA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place bread slices on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until toasted, about 5 minutes. Rub 1 side of the bread with the cut garlic.
• Toss tomatoes, ricotta salata, olive oil, vinegar, onion, basil, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Divide evenly over bread.

GARDEN-FRESH BRUSCHETTA (TASTE OF HOME)

Steps:

• Rub cut side of garlic over one side of each slice of bread.
• Place bread garlic side down on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake at 350° for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, oil, minced basil, salt and pepper.
• spoon about 2 tablespoons onto each piece of toast.
• Top each with a basil leaf.
• Top with optional Parmesan if you like as well.