Tomato Arugula And Ricotta Salata Salad Food

WHIPPED RICOTTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the whipped ricotta: Place the ricotta, olive oil and salt in a food processor. Blend until light and smooth, about 30 seconds. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
• For the dressing: Place the basil, pine nuts, vinegar, salt and pepper flakes in a food processor. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil to form a smooth dressing. Set aside.
• For the salad: In a bowl, toss the tomatoes, snap peas and arugula with the dressing.
• To assemble: Spread the whipped ricotta on the bottom of a platter. Place the dressed salad on top of the ricotta, leaving some of the cheese exposed around the edges. Serve.

ARUGULA AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Toss the tomatoes with the balsamic vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside until juicy, about 5 minutes. Toss the arugula with the olive oil, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Spread the arugula on a platter. Spoon the tomatoes and their juices on top, then drizzle with more olive oil and vinegar. Top with parmesan.

SALAD OF FENNEL, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Whisk shallot and lemon juice in small bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 15 minutes to blend flavors.
• Combine arugula and sliced fennel in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat salad. Add shaved cheese; toss gently and serve.

CORN, TOMATO, AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath; set aside. Cover, and bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat. Add corn, and let simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the corn, and transfer to the ice-water bath. When cool, remove from the ice bath. Using a large knife, remove kernels; set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, and basil. Drizzle with half of the dressing, and toss to coat. Gently fold in the diced avocado.
• Place arugula in a medium bowl. Drizzle with remaining dressing, and toss to coat. Transfer to a large platter. Arrange vegetable mixture over arugula. Shave ricotta salata over salad. Serve immediately.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the ricotta:.
• In a heavy saucepan, warm the milk, buttermilk and nutmeg over high heat; stir the mixture frequently until it reaches 120 degrees (warm to the touch), about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Now stir occasionally; the milk will begin to separate; when it reaches 175 degrees to 180 degrees, about 1 to 2 minutes, gently scrape the bottom of the saucepan; the curds will rise to the top; cook at 180 degrees for 1 minute.
• Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl or pot large enough to catch the liquid from the cheese and pour the contents of the saucepan into the strainer.
• Gently stir in the Parmesan and salt while the mixture is still hot.
• Gather up the corners of the cheesecloth and tie it up with string and let it drain for 15 minutes.
• Once the ricotta is at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use (makes 1 cup).
• For the croutons:.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Tear the baguette into chunks, toss lightly with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 10 minutes until golden (makes 2 cups).
• For the assembly of the salad:.
• Cut the tomatoes (which you have NOT refrigerated)into different shapes and sizes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil; and arrange on serving plates.
• Drizzle the tomatoes with the aged balsamic vinegar.
• Scatter the croutons and torn basil atop the tomatoes.
• Top each salad with two quenelles of ricotta cheese (use two tablespoons to form the cheese into ovals, each about a tablespoon of cheese).

ARUGULA TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, prepare the salad dressing. Combine olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and mix. Add lemon zest.
• In a large bowl, combine arugula and cherry tomatoes (each sliced in half).
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad. You don't have to use all of the dressing. Drizzle as much or as little as you prefer.
• Top with grated Parmesan cheese and lightly toasted pine nuts.

TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a blender blend together the garlic paste, the vinegars, and salt and pepper to taste, with the motor running add the oil in a stream, and blend the dressing until it is emulsified.
• Divide the arugula among 6 salad plates and arrange one sixth of the tomato slices on each plate. Divide the ricotta salata and the orégano among the plates. Drizzle each salad with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dressing.

TOMATO AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Pick over the arugula and discard any tough stems. In a large salad bowl add the tomatoes, arugula, onions, garlic, basil, vinegar, salt and pepper and olive oil. Toss well and serve.

TOMATO AND HERBED RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• Crumble the cheese into a bowl. Add the basil, chives, mint, oregano and thyme. Mix until the herbs coat the crumbled cheese.
• Arrange the large tomatoes on a serving platter, overlapping the slices slightly. Scatter the cherry tomatoes on top. Season with salt.
• Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the tomatoes and let sit for 10 minutes.
• To serve, scatter the cheese over the tomatoes and garnish with basil, mint, oregano and thyme sprigs.

TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• 1 Trim the tough stems of the arugula and discard any yellowed or bruised leaves. Wash the arugula in several changes of cool water. Dry very well. Tear the arugula into bite-size pieces. 2 Arrange the tomatoes on a platter. Top with the arugula and onion rings. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 3 Sprinkle the ricotta salata over the salad. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.