Asparagus Lemon Ricotta Flatbread Food

ASPARAGUS & LEMON RICOTTA FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500˚F with rack in upper third of oven. Line an 18 x 13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll out dough to an 18 x 13-inch rectangle; transfer to sheet. In a small bowl, combine oil, garlic and oregano and brush over surface of dough. Sprinkle two-thirds of Romano over crust. Arrange asparagus in an even layer over top. Dollop with ricotta and sprinkle with lemon zest, pepper flakes and remaining one-third of Romano. Bake in upper third of oven until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.

ASPARAGUS, LEMON & RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a circle roughly 35cm in diameter. Use the rolling pin to pick up the pastry, then drape it over a 27cm deep, loose-bottomed tart tin. Press the pastry into the sides, then prick the base with a fork. Cover with cling film, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unwrap the tart and line with baking parchment and baking beans. Cook on a baking sheet for 10-15 mins, until just starting to firm up. Beat 1 of the eggs. Remove the beans and baking parchment, then lightly brush the tart all over with the beaten egg. Cook for another 5-10 mins until the pastry is golden and crisp all over, then leave to cool.
• Reduce the oven to 180C/fan 160C/ gas 4. Whisk together the remaining eggs, then pour in the cream and lemon zest and whisk until well combined. Season with salt and pour into a large jug. Pour the cream mixture into the tart case, then arrange the asparagus spears on top. Dollop over teaspoonfuls of ricotta and sprinkle with the mint, then carefully slide into the oven. Cook for 25-30 mins until the quiche is set with just the faintest wobble in the middle. Leave to cool at least 10 mins before serving either warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with salt flakes.

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain, 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, Parmesan and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside.
• Once the water has boiled, add the cavatelli and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic, then add the sliced asparagus and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining asparagus juice and the remaining tablespoon lemon juice and cook until the pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper.

ASPARAGUS, PEA & RICOTTA FLATBREADS

Steps:

• To make the flatbreads, put the yeast, sugar and 220ml lukewarm water in a jug and stir thoroughly. Leave to sit for a few mins while you measure out your ingredients.
• Sift the flours and 1 tsp salt into a bowl, then slowly incorporate the yeast mix, stirring with a wooden spoon. Stir in the oil and turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins until smooth. Return to the bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to sit for 30 mins to 1 hr until doubled in size.
• Return the dough to your work surface, adding more flour if needed, and knead for a few more mins to knock it back, then divide into four and roll each piece into a ball. Wrap two in cling film and freeze for another time.
• Heat oven to 230C/210 fan/gas 8. Flatten one of the balls with the palm of your hand and, using a floured rolling pin, roll out into a wide, flat base about 10-12 inches long. Place on an oiled baking sheet, then brush with oil and bake for 5-8 mins, turning halfway, until the bread is puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and repeat with the other dough ball.
• Snap the woody bases off the asparagus. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and gently blanch the asparagus for 2-3 mins until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate to cool. Blanch the peas in the same water for a couple of mins or until tender, and drain.
• Chop 4 mint leaves and put in a bowl with the cheeses, 1 tbsp olive oil, the garlic, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and good grating of nutmeg and black pepper, and stir to combine. Cut the tips from the asparagus - about 4cm - then finely slice the stalks. Put all the asparagus in a bowl with the peas, remaining mint leaves, lemon juice and a good drizzle of olive oil. Season well and toss to combine.
• Spread the flatbread with the ricotta mix, then top with the asparagus and pea mix. Garnish with extra parmesan, olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.

ONE-POT PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine the pasta, onions, garlic, asparagus, broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils, 7 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the frozen peas and continue to cook until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to serving bowls and top with dollops of ricotta and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS, RICOTTA AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of light salted water to a boil for cooking the penne.
• Stir together the ricotta, 1/4 cup of the parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
• Add the penne to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until the penne is al dente (Do not overcook penne) and the asparagus is tender, 4 to 5 minutes longer. Reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and asparagus and place in a large bowl.
• Add 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the ricotta mixture, whisking until smooth. Toss the pasta with the ricotta sauce.
• Pass the remaining parmesan separately.
• One serving is 11/2 cups.
• VARIATION: Penne with Spinach, Ricotta, and Lemon.
• In step 3 omit the asparagus; cook the penne for 8 to10 minutes. While the penne is cooking, cook one 10 ounce (300-gram) package of frozen spinach according to package directions. In step 4 Toss the penne with the ricotta sauce and spinach.