Wilted Greens With Ricotta Salata Recipes

SALAD OF DANDELION GREENS WITH ALMOND VINAIGRETTE AND DRIED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Cut any tough stems from the greens and trim any wilted, yellow, or tough leaves. Wash and dry them according to directions on page 67. The greens can be prepared up to several hours in advance and kept, loosely covered with a clean towel, in the refrigerator.
• To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the toasted almonds, vinegar, and honey in a blender and blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place the greens in a large bowl, season them with salt and pepper, and pour the dressing over them. Toss well and divide the dressed greens among six plates, mounding them in the center of the plate. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of toasted almonds and top with shavings of ricotta salata. Serve immediately.

WILTED GREEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, toss the lettuce, spinach and onions; set aside. In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, water, oil and sugar substitute to a boil. Pour over lettuce and toss; sprinkle with bacon.

GREEN BEANS WITH RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of cold water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and trimmed beans. Cook until beans are just tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and immediately plunge beans into an ice-water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain, pat dry, and place in a large bowl along with ricotta salata and basil leaves.
• In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, vinegar, olive oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
• Pour vinaigrette over bean mixture and toss well.

ORECCHIETTE WITH CHARD AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Separate the chard leaves from ribs with a knife. Wash the leaves and transfer to a pot, with just water clinging to them. Cover and cook over moderate heat until wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain, pressing out excess water, but don't squeeze them dry. Chop coarsely.
• Heat 1/3 cup of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over moderate heat. Add garlic and hot pepper flakes and saute until garlic is lightly covered, about 2 minutes. Add greens, season highly with salt and pepper and toss to coat with seasonings. Keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Return pasta to pot and add remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss until coated, then add greens and toss again. Grate ricotta salata over the pasta and toss again, adding some reserved water if needed to keep pasta moist.
• Transfer to warm plates.

PAPPARDELLE WITH GREENS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens (you may have to do this in two batches). After the water returns to a boil, boil two to four minutes until the greens are tender. Using a deep-fry skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer them to the ice water. Do not drain the hot water in the pot, as you'll use it to cook the pasta. Drain the greens, squeeze dry and chop.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the garlic, cook for about a minute just until fragrant, and stir in the greens. Toss in the hot pan for about a minute, just until the greens are lightly coated with oil and fragrant with garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl. Bring the water for the pasta back to a boil, and add the pappardelle. Cook al dente. Ladle 1/2 cup of the cooking water from the pasta into the ricotta and stir together. Drain the pasta, and toss with the ricotta, greens and cheeses. Serve at once.