Ricotta And Sun Dried Tomato Tart Food

SUN-DRIED TOMATO RICOTTA CROSTINI APPETIZER

Steps:

• Place sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until combined, about 15 seconds.
• Spread ricotta evenly over crostini pieces and top with sun-dried tomato mixture before serving.

RUSTIC TOMATO AND RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Make the dough: In the bowl of a mixer, blend the flour, sugar, and lemon zest at low speed. Add the butter and continue blending at low speed until the mixture is coarse and sandy-looking. Add the egg mixture and blend just until the mixture comes together. Form into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a rough circle, about 14 to 15 inches in diameter. Transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. All around the edge of the crust, fold in the outer half-inch to form a rough, "rustic" edge to the tart.
• Filling: In a small mixing bowl whisk together the ricotta, egg white, sugar, and lemon zest. Using a rubber spatula, gently spread the ricotta filling over the bottom of the tart. Then arrange the tomato halves in concentric circles, cut side up, over the ricotta. Drizzle the honey over.
• With a pastry brush, brush the tart edge with milk. Sprinkle it with coarse sugar. Bake until fruit is tender and the underside of the tart is browned, about 25 to 30 minutes.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one 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 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

ROASTED TOMATO TART WITH RICOTTA AND PESTO

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Set the sliced tomatoes on top in a single layer. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Use it to season the tomatoes evenly on both sides, cover with another paper towel and let sit, 15 minutes, allowing the salt to draw moisture out of the tomatoes.
• As the tomatoes sit, heat the oven to 400 degrees and set a rack in the middle of the oven. Working on a large sheet of parchment paper, roll out the puff pastry into a 9-by-11-inch rectangle, trimming any uneven edges. Prick the inside with a fork every few inches, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Using a pastry brush, coat the center of the puff pastry with the crème fraîche, leaving the border unbrushed.
• Working within the border, layer the tomatoes and red onion on top of the tart, allowing them to overlap slightly. Transfer to a sheet pan and bake, rotating halfway through, until puff pastry is browned and puffed, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Sprinkle tomatoes with Aleppo pepper, if using. Dollop with fresh ricotta. Thin pesto with olive oil until it reaches the proper consistency for drizzling; drizzle on top of tart to taste. Top with basil, if using, and serve warm or at room temperature.

TOMATO-RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-inch springform pan, toss breadcrumbs with olive oil; press evenly into bottom.
• In a bowl, whisk ricotta with Parmesan, eggs, and basil; season generously with salt and pepper. Spread over crust; arrange tomatoes on top. Brush with olive oil.
• Bake until tomatoes are almost dry, 35 to 45 minutes; let cool. Unmold. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic in processor. Add basil, 1/4 cup pine nuts, oil and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Using on/off turns, process just until blended. Transfer pesto to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Using electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic over sides. Spread 3/4 cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with half of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then half of pesto mixture. Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture and remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Invert torta onto platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil sprigs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices.

PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook tagliatelle at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
• Cook sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in sour cream, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix in parsley and basil. Toss in pasta and mix to combine.

BAKED PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and sauté for 4 minutes or until starting to brown.
• Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; sauté 3 more minutes.
• Add tomatoes, paprika, salt and pepper.
• Stir well, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook pasta for 7 minutes or until tender and still a bit firm.
• Drain and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl combine ricotta, pasta and sauce; mix gently to combine.
• Pour into a medium-sized baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
• Serve garnished with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.