Grilled Tomatoes With Scallions Chives And Ricotta Recipes

GRILLED TOMATOES WITH SCALLIONS, CHIVES AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat.
• In a large serving bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of the olive oil with the vinegar, garlic, lime zest and juice. Taste for seasoning.
• Arrange the tomatoes, cut side-up, with the scallions and thyme in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining 4 to 5 tablespoons olive oil over all and sprinkle with salt. Place the tomatoes, cut side-up, and the scallions and thyme on a hot part of the grill and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the scallions and thyme and gently flip the tomatoes onto the cut sides. Place the chives on the grill near the scallions. Cook until tender and lightly charred, an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the thyme sprigs from the grill. Remove the leaves from the stems and mix into the ricotta. Remove the tomatoes and scallions. Chop the scallions and chives into large (1/2-inch) pieces. Season the tomatoes with the sugar and some pepper. Spoon the ricotta into a serving platter or bowl and season with salt. Arrange the tomatoes, scallions and chives next to and on top of the ricotta. Spoon the dressing on top.

RICOTTA AND CHIVE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tops of tomatoes and, using small paring knife, remove seeds. In small bowl, combine ricotta, chives, salt & pepper. Using small spoon, fill each tomato with ricotta mixture. Place stuffed tomatoes on baking sheet & bake for 8 minutes or until warmed through. Serve warm.

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.

PASTA WITH GRILLED TOMATO AND SCALLION SAUCE

Steps:

• Light a grill and preheat for at least 10 minutes or preheat a grill pan. Oil the grates. Meanwhile, soak 1 bamboo skewer for 10 minutes. Thread the garlic on the skewer.
• Brush the scallions and the cut sides of the tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the garlic and scallions over high heat, turning frequently, until blistered in spots and softened, about 2 minutes. Grill the tomatoes cut side down until nicely charred, about 2 minutes. Flip and grill until the skin starts to shrink, about 1 minute.
• Peel the garlic and finely chop, then transfer to a large bowl. Thinly slice the scallions crosswise and transfer to the bowl. Pull off the tomato skins, dice the tomatoes and add them to the garlic and scallions.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain. Add the hot pasta, the cheese and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the tomatoes and toss. Add the pasta water, little by little, if you need to loosen the sauce.
• Season the pasta with salt and pepper and serve immediately.