Ricotta Olive And Pine Nut Spread Recipes

RICOTTA AND PINE NUT SALAD

Steps:

• Place ricotta in a mixing bowl and break up with a fork. Tear basil leaves into pieces, and toss with ricotta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place a small dry skillet over medium heat, and add pine nuts. Stir constantly until nuts are darkly golden. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• Arrange salad leaves on a large platter and sprinkle with Belgian endive. In a small bowl, combine vinegar and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle mixture over salad greens, and toss. Spread pine nuts evenly over greens.
• Drop small mounds of ricotta mixture onto greens. Dust ricotta with paprika, and garnish platter with basil leaves. Serve.

OLIVE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree. If the mixture is too thin, add 2 ounces or more of ricotta cheese to thicken it. Season with salt and pepper.

NUTTY ROASTED GARLIC RICOTTA SPREAD

Steps:

• Pulse the pine nuts in food processor until pulverized.
• Remove the garlic cloves from the papery head, add it to the food processor and pulse until it forms a paste.
• Add the ricotta and blend everything together, stopping to scrape down the sides.
• Add salt/pepper to taste.

BRUSCHETTA WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND PINE NUT SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Before you begin, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature. Preheat your grill, if using. (You can also crisp the bread in a toaster.)
• Combine the ricotta and oil in a metal bowl and whip with a whisk until fluffy. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and beat for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just to lighten the mixture and make sure the oil is incorporated.
• Brush each slice of bread with a little olive oil, and then grill until lightly toasted and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Alternatively, use a toaster to crisp the bread then brush with olive oil.
• Spread the ricotta mixture over the crostini, about 2 tablespoons per slice. Dollop about 1 teaspoon of the salsa verde on each and serve.

ONE-POT PENNE WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook according to manufacturer's directions. Add spinach during last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain; return pasta and spinach to pot. Add oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well.
• Serve immediately, topped with ricotta, pine nuts, and Parmesan.

RUSTIC COURGETTE, PINE NUT & RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat half the olive oil in a frying pan. Sizzle the courgettes for 5 mins until golden around the edges, then set aside. In a bowl, beat the ricotta with the eggs, basil, nutmeg, half the Parmesan and the garlic. Set aside.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a rough round about 40cm wide, then transfer to a baking tray. Spread the pastry with the ricotta mix, leaving a 4cm border. Press the courgette slices into the ricotta, then scatter over the pine nuts and remaining Parmesan.
• Bring the sides up over the edge of the ricotta, pinch to encase the filling, then bake for 30 mins until the filling is puffed up and golden. Leave to cool slightly and enjoy warm or cold with a crisp green salad.