Best Tomato And Herbed Ricotta Salata Salad Recipes

SUMMER TOMATO SALAD WITH RICOTTA SALATA AND CREAMY GARLIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange tomatoes on a platter. Toss fennel in a bowl with a few tablespoons of the creamy garlic dressing and season with salt and pepper. Mound the fennel in the middle of the platter on top of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the herbs, cheese and olives and drizzle with some more of the creamy garlic dressing.
• Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper to taste.

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).

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALATA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a small skillet cook shallots in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Stir in tomato and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 30 seconds, or until just heated through. In a bowl toss together tomato mixture with cheese, chives, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste and mound about 1 tablespoon on oiled side of each toast.
• To make toasts:
• Prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• With a serrated knife cut bread crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Grill slices on a rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp outside but still soft inside. Alternatively, slices may be broiled in batches under a broiler about 4 inches from heat 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until golden. Rub toasts with garlic on one side and lightly brush same side with oil. Toasts may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container. Makes about 45 toasts.

TOMATO FETA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, basil and salt. Add onion; toss to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, oil and feta cheese; toss to coat. Serve with a slotted spoon.

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.