Ricotta Sformata Food

SWEET CORN AND RICOTTA SFORMATO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the corn kernels and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer half the kernels to a food processor and purée with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Transfer the corn kernels and puréed corn to a large bowl and let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. When the corn mixture has cooled, add the ricotta, heavy cream, crème fraîche, 1 cup Parmesan and the remaining 1 tablespoon salt; season to taste with more salt, if desired.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks on high speed, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir the yolks into the ricotta mixture until combined then gently fold in the whites, working delicately to avoid deflating.
• Rub the sides and crannies of a 6-by-10-inch oval or 8-by-8-inch square (or similar 2-inch-deep) baking dish with a knob of butter. Add 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan, knocking it around the baking dish to coat the entire thing, then follow with a few grinds of pepper.
• Pour the ricotta batter into the dish. Top with another 3 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until the cheese has browned and the sformata has set in the center, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Using a mortar and pestle, grind the basil with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt, then stir in the remaining 1/4 cup oil.
• Just before serving, top the warm sformata with the remaining 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, drizzle with basil oil and serve.

SFORMATA DI RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano. Add the tomatoes and garlic; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Shake dish to coat tomatoes with cheese. Bake 15 minutes, until tomatoes are hot and start to split, shaking dish occasionally. Remove tomatoes from oven; cool in dish. Spoon tomatoes and their juices into a bowl; reserve the baking dish but do not wash it out.
• When baking dish is cool enough to touch, grease bottom and sides with the remaining butter. Mix the eggs and ricotta in a food processor until smooth.Add the crème fraíche and half the thyme and process until mixed. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the ricotta mixture in the baking dish; scatter the tomatoes and their juices and remaining thyme on top. Sprinkle with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano and drizzle with olive oil. Bake until heated through, about 20 minutes.

FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine milk, cream, and salt in a 4- to 5-quart pot, and warm mixture over medium-high heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent scorching, until mixture registers 195 degrees on a candy thermometer. It should take about 15 minutes.
• Add lemon juice, gently stirring until just combined. Remove pot from heat and let stand 5 minutes. The combination of the acid and the residual heat in the mixture will cause it to coagulate, or curdle -- separating into a soft mass (curds) and a cloudy liquid (whey).
• After lining a mesh colander with a triple layer of cheesecloth and placing it inside a deeper, slightly larger bowl, gently pour curds and whey into colander. Let mixture stand, pouring off whey occasionally, until most of whey has drained from still-wet curds, 20 minutes.
• Gather up ricotta in cheesecloth and turn it out into a bowl. Serve within a few hours, or refrigerate up to 4 days. For a denser ricotta, which can be preferable for baking, hang it to drain for another hour. Repurpose whey or discard it.

RICOTTA SFORMATA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except for pasta sauce together with a mixer. Place in a greased round baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Cut into circles with cookie cutter or cut into squares. Serve with a dollup of pasta sauce and garnish with parmesan cheese

RICOTTA, TOMATO & SPINACH FRITTATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan and cook the onion for 5-6 mins until softened and lightly golden. Add the tomatoes and toss for 1 min to soften.
• Remove from the heat, add the spinach leaves and basil, and toss together to wilt a little. Transfer all the ingredients to a greased 30cm x 20cm rectangular baking tin. Take small scoops of the ricotta and dot over the vegetables.
• Season the eggs and beat well, then pour over the vegetables and cheese. Cook in the oven for 20-25 mins until pale golden and set. Serve with salad.