Baked Fresh Ricotta With Olives Food

BAKED RICOTTA WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the ricotta, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer to a 2-cup ramekin and sprinkle with the parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with bread.

WHIPPED RICOTTA WITH OLIVE OIL AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Using an electric mixer, whip the ricotta until light and airy, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and use a spoon to create a well in the center. Fill with the olive oil and sprinkle with the rosemary. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill on the oiled side until toasted, about 2 minutes. Serve with the ricotta.

BAKED ARTICHOKES WITH OLIVES AND RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• In a shallow Dutch oven or braising pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the olives, white wine and capers and cook about 2 minutes.
• Halve 6 of the cleaned artichokes and place them in the braising liquid. Add the tomatoes and their liquid and season with salt and pepper. Be sure to taste, as the olives and capers can make the sauce very salty. Cover the mixture, bring to a simmer and cook over medium heat until the artichokes are tender (a knife should go through without resistance) and the liquid has reduced by half, about 40 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Drop dollops of the ricotta cheese on each artichoke, then top with the grated Pecorino. Bake in the oven covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• In the meantime, heat 2 inches canola oil in a Dutch oven or fryer to 350 degrees F. Slice the remaining 2 artichokes extremely thin using a mandolin slicer or by hand. Pat the slices dry with paper towels. Drop the artichoke slices into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
• Top the baked artichoke with the fried artichoke slices and tarragon serve.