Toasts With White Beans And Ricotta Salata Food

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.

MASHED PEA AND RICOTTA TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
• Blanch the peas in briskly boiling salted water until a little soft, 1 to 2 minutes, then retire to ice water and remove. Blanch the snow peas for about 30 seconds, then place in the ice water. Drain and set aside in a small bowl.
• Place the peas in a food processor, then break up or pulse until coarsely crushed. Incorporate about 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and the juice of 1/2 lemon. It should be bright but not overly acidic. Season with salt and pepper and add 2 tablespoons julienned mint.
• Mix together the julienne of snow peas and red onion in a small bowl and dress with about 2 tablespoons olive oil, the remaining lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Brush the bread slices with about 2 tablespoons olive oil and grill on both sides until nicely charred, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place the ricotta in a bowl, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, zest of 1/2 lemon, salt and pepper and mix well.
• Spread each piece of bread with the ricotta and top with the crushed peas. Place on top of the snow pea mixture, then garnish with the mint leaves and Parmesan.

ORECCHIETTE WITH GREENS, GARBANZO BEANS AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the garlic and discard. Add the Swiss chard and cook until wilted. In batches, add the spinach and cook until wilted. Add the beans and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the pasta, 1/2 of the cheese, and lemon zest. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.
• Transfer to a large serving bowl and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve.

GREEN TOMATO TOAST WITH RICOTTA SALATA AND LEMON

Steps:

• Toss tomatoes and lemon juice in a large bowl; season generously with salt and pepper. Top toasts evenly with tomato mixture and ricotta salata, then drizzle with oil.