Best Multicolored Pepper And Bean Salad With Ricotta Salata And Herbs Recipes

Yield serves 10 to 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

Coarse salt
1/2 pound green beans, ends trimmed
1/2 pound yellow wax beans, ends trimmed
3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced into half-moons (about 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained (optional)
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds assorted bell peppers, quartered, seeds and ribs removed
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
6 to 7 ounces fresh ricotta salata cheese

Steps:

Prepare a large ice-water bath; set aside. Fill a stockpot with water; bring to a boil, and add a generous amount of salt. Add the green beans and wax beans to the boiling water, and cook just until they are crisp-tender and their color brightens, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the beans to the ice bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the color. Drain, and pat dry with paper towels. Slice the larger beans in half lengthwise. Set aside in a large bowl.
Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the shallots, capers (if using), vinegar, and a pinch of salt; let stand 15 minutes. Whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil.
Meanwhile, slice the peppers as thinly as possible using a sharp knife or mandoline. Add to the bowl with the beans. Drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss to combine; season with salt and black pepper. Just before serving, tear the basil and mint leaves into small pieces, and crumble the ricotta salata. Stir the herbs and cheese into the salad.

Orecchiette, Celery, and Olive Salad with Ricotta Salata image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 45m

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 small clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped celery
1 pound orecchiette
1 fennel bulb, cored and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup pitted and sliced Castelvetrano olives and 1 to 2 tablespoons olive brine
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Ricotta salata, crumbled (3/4 cup)
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup chopped celery leaves

Steps:

Using the side of a chef's knife, mash garlic with 1 teaspoon salt into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl; whisk in lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, and oil. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package directions until cooked all the way through. Drain (but don't rinse, which would waterlog the noodles), then spread on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with half of vinaigrette. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss fennel, capers and brine, chickpeas, ricotta salata, and celery with remaining vinaigrette. Add pasta; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate up to a day ahead; let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving. (Cold pasta salad is too firm and less flavorful.) Toss with Parmigiano-Reggiano and celery leaves; serve.