Apricot And Arugula Salad With Fresh Ricotta Food

WHIPPED RICOTTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the whipped ricotta: Place the ricotta, olive oil and salt in a food processor. Blend until light and smooth, about 30 seconds. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
• For the dressing: Place the basil, pine nuts, vinegar, salt and pepper flakes in a food processor. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil to form a smooth dressing. Set aside.
• For the salad: In a bowl, toss the tomatoes, snap peas and arugula with the dressing.
• To assemble: Spread the whipped ricotta on the bottom of a platter. Place the dressed salad on top of the ricotta, leaving some of the cheese exposed around the edges. Serve.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH GRILLED APRICOTS AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle over a hot grill or burner, or preheat an indoor grill.
• Combine arugula, half the pistachios, and basil in a large bowl.
• Whisk together vinegars, salt and pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Cut apricots in half and remove pits. Brush cut side with remaining olive oil. Grill for about 2 minutes on the cut side, until seared but intact. Remove from the heat.
• Toss together arugula mixture, dressing and half the apricots. Arrange on a platter. Arrange the remaining apricots, goat cheese or feta and remaining pistachios over the top, and serve.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEAR, BLUE CHEESE AND APRICOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine arugula leaves and bibb lettuce in a salad bowl. Squeeze a little lemon juice over pear slices to keep them from browning. Arrange them on top of lettuces. Top salad with blue cheese crumbles. Combine vinegar and apricot preserves. Stream in oil as you whisk dressing. Pour dressing over salad, season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and serve.

ARUGULA, FENNEL, AND APRICOT SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk vinegar and shallot in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place arugula, sliced fennel, and apricots in large bowl. Whisk chopped fennel fronds into dressing. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer salad to large serving bowl. Sprinkle pistachios over and serve.

APRICOT AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Set aside.
• Combine the vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk to blend, and continue to whisk as you drizzle in the olive oil.
• Put the arugula and apricots in a large bowl, drizzle about two-thirds of the dressing over, and toss gently but thoroughly with your hands. Toss and taste the salad. Add more dressing or vinegar, salt, and pepper as needed. Spread on a serving platter, or divide among 4 salad plates.
• Scatter teaspoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the salad.
• Make extra of the ricotta mixture and spread it on bruschetta or toast.