Gemelli With Tomatoes Olives And Ricotta Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one 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 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

GEMELLI WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES, AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain. Drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, and refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Pulse sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, capers, and garlic in a food processor. With machine running, add oil in a slow, steady stream, and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss together pasta, sun-dried-tomato vinaigrette, grape tomatoes, olives, basil, and salt. Transfer to serving plates. Top with a scoop of ricotta, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with pepper.

GEMELLI WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES, AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• 1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain. Drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, and refrigerate 10 minutes. 2. Pulse sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, capers, and garlic in a food processor. With machine running, add oil in a slow, steady stream, and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Toss together pasta, sun-dried-tomato vinaigrette, grape tomatoes, olives, basil, and salt. Transfer to serving plates. Top with a scoop of ricotta, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with pepper.

GREEK-INSPIRED GEMELLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add gemelli and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again.
• Transfer gemelli to a large bowl. Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and red onion. Toss with dressing and serve.

GEMELLI WITH CHEESE AND QUICK ARRABBIATA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper and sauté 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juices and wine; bring to boil. Boil until sauce thickens, about 8 minutes. Stir in basil. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add pasta and 1/2 cup cheese to sauce and toss until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta, adding reserved water by tablespoonfuls to moisten if necessary, about 3 minutes. Season pasta to taste with salt and pepper. Serve, passing remaining 1/2 cup cheese separately.

GEMELLI WITH RICOTTA PEAS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cook pasta. Add peas to pasta cooking water during last 2 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
• To the pasta add tarragon, salt, cheese, lemon zest, juice and oil, tossing gently to coat.
• Stir in just enough of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.