Spinach Basil Ricotta Purée Recipes

SPINACH AND RICOTTA GNUDI

Steps:

• For the gnudi: Mix the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and eggs together. Make 2 small balls and test cook by placing them in boiling water until they float, then shock in iced water. Taste. If they are too soft and don't hold together, add more flour or breadcrumbs and test again.
• Portion all of the gnudi and roll into balls. Cook in boiling water until they float, about 2 minutes, and shock in iced water. Coat in olive oil and reserve until ready to serve.
• For the porcini puree: To caramelize the shallots, heat a large saute pan over high heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil, then add the shallots. Allow to color on one side, then lower the heat and stir. Slowly cook until soft and sweet, about 5 minutes. Saute the mushrooms together with the shallots until lightly colored and tender, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and chili, and sweat for an additional 3 minutes. Pour the liquid from the hydrated porcini mushrooms into the pan. Allow to cook for about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the contents into a blender and puree until the consistency is smooth. Add water if the mixture gets too thick in the blender and it stops moving. Add olive oil while blending to finish and taste for seasoning. Strain the sauce. Reserve until ready to serve.
• To serve: Warm the porcini puree and reserve. Reheat the gnudi in a pan with salted simmering water and the melted butter. Plate the porcini puree, place gnudi on top and top with Parmesan cheese.

SPINACH, BASIL RICOTTA PURéE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to boil in large pot. Add spinach leaves and stir until tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain. Squeeze out excess water. Transfer spinach to processor. Add basil and ricotta to spinach. Blend until smooth. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Add spinach mixture and cream. Stir until mixture is just heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

FRESH SPINACH & BASIL PIE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzerella and 3 eggs. Mix well!
• Stir in chopped spinach, onion, tomato, salt, spices and fresh basil.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella into one 9" pie crust, then fill with cheese/spinach/egg, etc. mixture. There may be some left over -- do not overfill!
• Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
• Give yourself a pat on the back -- you're doing okay!
• Carefully place remaining (thawed and flattened) frozen pie crust on top and pinch edges with a fork. Remember to cut a few slits in the top crust or your pie will explode!
• Place on the middle rack of your nicely pre-heated oven and let it hang out for about 30 minutes. When the half-hour is up, pull the little guy out and brush egg white on the top surface (this will not only make your pie nice and shiny, but also very happy).
• Pop back in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is a nice golden brown.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!
• note: This recipe happens to be vegetarian, but I'm certain it would be delicious with some sausage in the mix. Feel free to experiment!

PASTA WITH SPINACH-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• In small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook shallots, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, submerge spinach and basil in a large pot of simmering salted water; drain immediately. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible; transfer spinach and basil to a food processor.
• Add shallots, ricotta, Parmesan, and nutmeg; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Process until smooth.
• Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Toss pasta with spinach sauce; thin with pasta water, as needed. Serve with extra grated Parmesan, if desired.

SPAGHETTI WITH SPINACH, PEAS, AND HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine ricotta, lemon zest and juice, and basil; season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add spinach; season generously and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Add peas; cook 1 minute more. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain. Add pasta, peas, and 3/4 cup ricotta mixture to skillet.
• Reduce heat to low and stir, adding enough reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce; season to taste. To serve, dollop pasta with remaining ricotta mixture, drizzle with more oil, and sprinkle with basil leaves.

SPINACH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.

SPINACH RICOTTA PIZZA WITH FRESH TOMATO PUREE

Steps:

• Divide dough into two and roll out into two thin crusts. Lightly brush olive oil to taste on top and bake the dough for 5 minutes in a 425 degree oven on a greased and floured pan.
• Meanwhile grate the four tomatoes into a medium bowl. If your tomatoes are really ripe, you can drain the excess liquid slighlty. Add the pressed garlic and olive oil.
• Add the spinach to a medium pan over medium heat and saute with salt and pepper to taste until half-wilted.
• Spread the tomato mixture on both crusts. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes. This should get rid of any excess liquid in the sauce.
• Top the pizzas with spinach, basil, and a light sprinkling of mozzarella. Finish by placing small dallops of ricotta around the pizza, using a small spoon.
• Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese bubbles and begins to brown.

WHIPPED BASIL RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine ricotta cheese, basil, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and pepper flakes in a mini food processor and process until all ingredients are well incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.