Summer Tomato Salad With Ricotta Salata And Creamy Garlic Vinaigrette Recipes

FESTIVE SALAD WITH TOMATOES, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA IN A CREAMY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a jar with a lid, combine the oil, Champagne vinegar, shallots, mustard, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Tightly close the lid and shake so the dressing is well combined.
• For the salad: Put the mixed greens and romaine in a large bowl. Add enough dressing so that each leaf is lightly coated when tossed. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the lettuce to a serving platter or bowl.
• Scatter the tomatoes and mozzarella balls over the salad along with the pine nuts and finally the basil leaves. Serve immediately.

TOMATO SALAD WITH RICOTTA, BROAD BEANS & SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Toss the sliced tomatoes and onion in a bowl with a bit of salt and set aside.
• Finely chop the herbs for the salsa verde. Pound the garlic, Dijon mustard and capers using a pestle and mortar and add to the herbs. Add seasoning and the oil. Add the vinegar, little by little, tasting as you go, until the sauce has the right amount of acidity - it needs to be punchy without losing the grassy, fresh flavour of the herbs.
• Bring a pan of water to the boil and plunge the broad beans in for a couple of mins, then drain, cool in cold water and peel away the shells.
• Divide the tomatoes and onions between plates or spread out on a platter. Dot the ricotta around and spoon over the salsa verde. Scatter with broad beans and serve.

ROASTED SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, toss tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, thyme, oil and salt. Spread in single layer on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Divide vegetables evenly among 4 serving plates. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese; sprinkle with parsley.

TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a blender blend together the garlic paste, the vinegars, and salt and pepper to taste, with the motor running add the oil in a stream, and blend the dressing until it is emulsified.
• Divide the arugula among 6 salad plates and arrange one sixth of the tomato slices on each plate. Divide the ricotta salata and the orégano among the plates. Drizzle each salad with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dressing.

TOMATO AND HERBED RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• Crumble the cheese into a bowl. Add the basil, chives, mint, oregano and thyme. Mix until the herbs coat the crumbled cheese.
• Arrange the large tomatoes on a serving platter, overlapping the slices slightly. Scatter the cherry tomatoes on top. Season with salt.
• Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the tomatoes and let sit for 10 minutes.
• To serve, scatter the cheese over the tomatoes and garnish with basil, mint, oregano and thyme sprigs.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the ricotta:.
• In a heavy saucepan, warm the milk, buttermilk and nutmeg over high heat; stir the mixture frequently until it reaches 120 degrees (warm to the touch), about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Now stir occasionally; the milk will begin to separate; when it reaches 175 degrees to 180 degrees, about 1 to 2 minutes, gently scrape the bottom of the saucepan; the curds will rise to the top; cook at 180 degrees for 1 minute.
• Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl or pot large enough to catch the liquid from the cheese and pour the contents of the saucepan into the strainer.
• Gently stir in the Parmesan and salt while the mixture is still hot.
• Gather up the corners of the cheesecloth and tie it up with string and let it drain for 15 minutes.
• Once the ricotta is at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use (makes 1 cup).
• For the croutons:.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Tear the baguette into chunks, toss lightly with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 10 minutes until golden (makes 2 cups).
• For the assembly of the salad:.
• Cut the tomatoes (which you have NOT refrigerated)into different shapes and sizes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil; and arrange on serving plates.
• Drizzle the tomatoes with the aged balsamic vinegar.
• Scatter the croutons and torn basil atop the tomatoes.
• Top each salad with two quenelles of ricotta cheese (use two tablespoons to form the cheese into ovals, each about a tablespoon of cheese).