Fried Ricotta Patties With Tomato Salad Recipes

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).

FRIED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Put the drained ricotta in a bowl. With the ice-cream scoop or other implement, scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of ricotta, and set them on a parchment-lined tray or sheet pan (you should have about twenty-four ricotta balls total). Set the tray in the freezer, and chill the balls until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Spread the flour on a small plate, and the bread crumbs on a large plate. Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt in a wide, shallow bowl. Dredge the balls in the flour, and gently flatten them into thick patties. Coat the patties in egg, then dredge them until well coated in the bread crumbs, but not heavily so. Return the breaded patties to the parchment-lined tray.
• When you are ready to fry the patties, pour the vegetable oil in the skillet and set over medium heat. The oil is ready when the tip of a patty sizzles on contact. Drop the patties into the skillet in batches, so they are not crowded, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Lift them from the skillet with a slotted spatula, and drain briefly on paper towels.
• Serve ricotta fritta while still hot.
• For a savory appetizer or main course: spoon a pool of hot tomato sauce onto each serving plate, set 4 to 6 fried patties per portion in the sauce, and scatter shredded basil on top.
• For a dessert dish: top portions of 3 or 4 patties per serving with warmed peach preserves (or any fruit jam or poached fruit) and whipped cream.

RICOTTA FRITTATA WITH TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Position a rack 4 to 6 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler. Whisk the eggs, milk and cheese in a large bowl. In another bowl, toss the tomatoes, basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallions, radicchio, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until the radicchio is tender, about 3 minutes, then add to the bowl with the egg mixture and stir. Wipe out the skillet.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, tilting to coat the pan. Add the egg mixture and cook, undisturbed, until the bottom starts setting, about 30 seconds. Top with spoonfuls of ricotta; transfer to the broiler and cook until the frittata is set and golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Loosen the edge with a rubber spatula; slide out of the skillet. Cut into wedges. Serve with the tomato salad.
• Per serving: Calories: 381; Total Fat: 28 grams; Saturated Fat: 9 grams; Protein: 20grams; Total carbohydrates:11 grams; Sugar: 0 grams; Fiber: 2 grams; Cholesterol: 461 milligrams; Sodium: 558 milligrams

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.