Sliced Orange Salad With Sauteed Olives And Ricotta Salata Food

TAGLIOLINI WITH SALSA CRUDA AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes with a pinch of salt. Let the tomatoes sit while you prep the rest of the ingredients. This will help draw out some excess moisture from the tomatoes that will help create the sauce. Add the onions, zucchini, asparagus, basil, oregano, garlic, red pepper, olive oil and vinegar and season generously with salt; taste to make sure it's delicious and adjust the seasoning if needed. Let the sauce sit for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
• Add two-thirds of the sauce to a large skillet and bring to medium-high heat--the idea is to heat up the sauce without really cooking it so you maintain the raw integrity of the veggies.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until it is tender but still toothsome, 2 to 3 minutes--you don't want any limp noodles. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce, along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water if needed and stir vigorously. If the pasta needs it, add the reserved sauce (if it's not needed, then you have lunch for tomorrow!). Cook the pasta together with the sauce until the pasta water has evaporated. Give the pasta a drizzle of big fat finishing oil and stir vigorously again. Divide among individual serving dishes and top with the ricotta salata.

FARRO SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, TOMATOES AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Spread the farro out onto a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until it smells nutty, about 7 minutes. Add the toasted farro to the boiling water and cook until al dente, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and toss with the raisins, lemon zest and juice in a large serving bowl.
• Toss the asparagus with 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove the asparagus from the oven and add the tomatoes to the baking sheet. Return to the oven and roast until the tomatoes begin to blister, about 3 minutes more.
• Toss the roasted asparagus and tomatoes with the farro along with the parsley. Top with the ricotta salata and serve.

PASTA WITH CARROT SAUCE AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, leek and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Wipe out the saucepan and add the carrot puree to the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and heat over medium heat. Add the pasta and toss well to coat, adding the reserved cooking water 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time if the sauce seems too thick. Season with salt.
• Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the ricotta salata and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.