Chorizo Red Pepper Ricotta And Caper Tart Food

CHORIZO, RICOTTA & SPINACH PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving 1 tbsp of the cooking water. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the chorizo and cook for 3-4 mins until crisp. Throw in the spinach, garlic and some seasoning, and cook until just wilted. Tip into a bowl with the pasta and the reserved 1 tbsp cooking water, then mix well.
• Mix the ricotta, milk and lemon zest together with some seasoning. Spoon half the pasta into a gratin dish and spoon over half the ricotta mix. Top with the remaining pasta and dollop over spoonfuls of the remaining ricotta. Scatter with the Parmesan and bake for 15 mins until the cheese has melted. Grind over some black pepper before serving.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER AND RICOTTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree ricotta, roasted red peppers, oil, Parmesan, and garlic in a food processor.
• Stir in parsley and oregano. Toss with hot pasta and serve.

ROASTED PEPPER, RICOTTA, AND CAPER PIZZAS

Steps:

• Make pizza dough:
• In a large bowl stir together water and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and salt and blend until mixture forms a dough, adding additional tablespoon water if too dry. On a lightly floured surface knead dough about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, dough may be made in a standing electric mixer. In bowl of mixer make dough as described above. With dough hook knead dough about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.)
• Put dough in a very lightly oiled deep bowl,turning to coat, and let rise, covered loosely, in a warm place 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Punch down dough and divide into 4 equal pieces. Dough keeps, each piece put in a small, sealable plastic bag and sealed, pressing out excess air, chilled overnight or frozen 2 weeks. If dough is frozen thaw overnight in refrigerator before using. Makes enough dough for four 12- by 6-inch oval pizzas.
• Make the pizza:
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Spread bell peppers in a large shallow baking pan and season with salt. Roast peppers in middle of oven, stirring once halfway through roasting, 20 to 30 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle peppers with vinegar, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Bell peppers may be roasted 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Increase temperature to 500°F.
• On a work surface sprinkled with 1 teaspoon cornmeal roll out 1 piece of dough into a 12- by 6-inch oval and transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining cornmeal and dough, ending up with 2 ovals on each of 2 baking sheets.
• Spread bell peppers evenly on dough ovals, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge of each pizza. Spoon half-teaspoonfuls of ricotta onto bell peppers and sprinkle pizzas with capers and pepper.
• Bake pizzas in lower and middle thirds of oven 15 minutes, or until crusts are crisp and pale golden.

CHORIZO AND RED PEPPER QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Assemble quesadillas: Place 4 tortillas on a work surface. Dividing evenly, scatter chorizo, bell pepper, and scallions over each, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over each, and top with remaining tortillas. Press lightly to seal.
• Place 1 quesadilla on a paper towel. Top with another paper towel, a quesadilla, and a third paper towel. Microwave the 2 stacked quesadillas on high for 2 minutes or until cheese has melted. Carefully unstack quesadillas (they will be very hot), and remove paper towels. Place on a platter. Repeat with remaining 2 quesadillas.
• Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges and serve with salsa, if desired.