Simple Baked Spinach Ricotta Chicken Lemons Zest Food

SPINACH, RICOTTA & CHICKEN TRAYBAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the spinach in a large colander and pour over 1-2 kettles of boiling water to wilt. Allow to drain for a few mins, then squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Chop, put in a bowl and beat in the ricotta, lemon zest, nutmeg and plenty of seasoning.
• Using a sharp knife, cut a slit into the side of each chicken breast and use your fingers to make a little pocket. Spoon the mixture into the 4 breasts. Rub with 2 tsp of the oil and press the breadcrumbs on top, then arrange the chicken in a roasting tin.
• Put the vegetables on another tray and drizzle with the remaining oil, and season well. Bake the chicken and veg for around 30 mins, stirring the veg once. Remove when the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden.
• Remove the softened garlic from the vegetables and mash it with the lemon juice, then stir this with the roasted veg and serve with the chicken.

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.

ONE-POT PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• In the same pot, make the sauce: Add the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and stir until well combined.
• Add 1/2 cup pasta water to the sauce and stir until smooth. Add the pasta and continue to stir vigorously until the noodles are well coated. Add more pasta water as needed for a smooth sauce.
• Divide the pasta among bowls and top with some of the sauce that's pooled at the bottom of the pot. Garnish with grated Parmesan, black pepper, red-pepper flakes and basil, if using.

BAKED SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart baking dish.
• Clean spinach thoroughly. Remove all excess water. Chop spinach. Arrange spinach and flour in layers, nestle beaten eggs about midway between the layers.
• Combine cheese and bread crumbs. Mix in optional parsley, if desired. Sprinkle over top of spinach. Mix butter or margarine, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over all ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 50 minutes to one hour.