CruditÉs With Herbed Ricotta Food

WHIPPED BASIL RICOTTA WITH CRISP SPRING VEGGIES

Steps:

• Rinse and remove the thick stems from the basil, smaller stems are fine. Load it into a food processor. Add the garlic, pine nuts, and the juice of 1/2 the lemon. Process, scraping down the sides, until the basil is well broken down and becomes a rough paste.
• Add the olive oil and process further until the sauce is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the machine to get everything incorporated. Taste the pesto to adjust the lemon and add salt to taste. I added the juice from the other half of the lemon.
• Add the ricotta to the bowl of the food processor and process until everything is well combined and smooth.
• Taste one last time to adjust the salt, and then chill until needed. Add fresh cracked black pepper if you like.
• Serve the basil ricotta in the center of a plate of fresh vegetable crudité.

HERBED RICOTTA BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or turn a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside. Cut the bread in half and cut each half into 6 thick slices to make 12 slices total.
• When the grill is hot, brush the bread with olive oil and grill on each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the grill and rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Serve 2 warm slices per person with the green salad on the side.
• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 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 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
• Place the salad greens in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to moisten. Toss and serve.

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.

CRUDITES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Stir together ricotta, chopped basil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange vegetables on a platter. Sprinkle with basil leaves. Serve with herbed ricotta.

HERBED RICOTTA CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a rubber spatula until blended.
• Process until the mixture is rough-textured, not completely smooth

CRUDITES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Stir together ricotta, chopped basil and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange vegetables on a platter. Sprinkle with basil leaves.
• Serve with herbed ricotta.