Fried Ricotta Patties With Tomato Salad Food

FRIED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Put the drained ricotta in a bowl. With the ice-cream scoop or other implement, scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of ricotta, and set them on a parchment-lined tray or sheet pan (you should have about twenty-four ricotta balls total). Set the tray in the freezer, and chill the balls until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Spread the flour on a small plate, and the bread crumbs on a large plate. Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt in a wide, shallow bowl. Dredge the balls in the flour, and gently flatten them into thick patties. Coat the patties in egg, then dredge them until well coated in the bread crumbs, but not heavily so. Return the breaded patties to the parchment-lined tray.
• When you are ready to fry the patties, pour the vegetable oil in the skillet and set over medium heat. The oil is ready when the tip of a patty sizzles on contact. Drop the patties into the skillet in batches, so they are not crowded, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Lift them from the skillet with a slotted spatula, and drain briefly on paper towels.
• Serve ricotta fritta while still hot.
• For a savory appetizer or main course: spoon a pool of hot tomato sauce onto each serving plate, set 4 to 6 fried patties per portion in the sauce, and scatter shredded basil on top.
• For a dessert dish: top portions of 3 or 4 patties per serving with warmed peach preserves (or any fruit jam or poached fruit) and whipped cream.

RICOTTA FRITTATA WITH TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Position a rack 4 to 6 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler. Whisk the eggs, milk and cheese in a large bowl. In another bowl, toss the tomatoes, basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallions, radicchio, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until the radicchio is tender, about 3 minutes, then add to the bowl with the egg mixture and stir. Wipe out the skillet.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, tilting to coat the pan. Add the egg mixture and cook, undisturbed, until the bottom starts setting, about 30 seconds. Top with spoonfuls of ricotta; transfer to the broiler and cook until the frittata is set and golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Loosen the edge with a rubber spatula; slide out of the skillet. Cut into wedges. Serve with the tomato salad.
• Per serving: Calories: 381; Total Fat: 28 grams; Saturated Fat: 9 grams; Protein: 20grams; Total carbohydrates:11 grams; Sugar: 0 grams; Fiber: 2 grams; Cholesterol: 461 milligrams; Sodium: 558 milligrams