Heirloom Tomatoes With Herbed Ricotta Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

Steps:

• Peel garlic and place in cold water. Bring to a boil and drain. Add the blanched garlic to olive oil simmer until garlic is mushy, being careful not to brown garlic. Let come to room temperature. Roast tomatoes over an open flame until their skins are blistered. Peel each tomato and slice horizontally into 5 slices, each approximately 3/4-inch thick. Submerge in garlic flavored oil with 1 bunch of Thai basil. Salt and pepper to taste. Allow the tomatoes to marinate at room temperature for at least one hour. Remove tomatoes and reserve marinade.
• Husk corn and cut ears in half. Grate on a box grater to strip away all kernels, reserving cobs. Place grated corn and cobs in a saucepan and add water to cover. Taste at this point, and sweeten with a bit of sugar if desired. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes and strain through a fine mesh sieve. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside 8 sprigs of Thai basil. Chop all but the reserved basil. To serve, arrange tomato slices attractively on the center of a plate. Mix some of the marinade with some of the Thai Basil-Corn Syrup to your taste, and garnish this sauce with the chopped Thai basil. Spoon sauce over the tomatoes. Garnish each plate with 2 sprigs of Thai basil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Cut the large tomatoes in thick slices and the small ones in wedges. Arrange the tomatoes on a platter and sprinkle generously with sea salt.
• Drizzle red wine vinegar all over the tomatoes.
• Using scissors, clip the tarragon leaves over the salad, sprinkle with pepper and drizzle with more red wine vinegar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or turn a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside. Cut the bread in half and cut each half into 6 thick slices to make 12 slices total.
• When the grill is hot, brush the bread with olive oil and grill on each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the grill and rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Serve 2 warm slices per person with the green salad on the side.
• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
• Place the salad greens in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to moisten. Toss and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 150C (fan forced).
• Line 2 baking trays with baking/parchment paper and put a rack over one.
• Put cut tomatoes halves on the rack, spray with the olive oil cooking spray and roast for 40 minutes (please note that during part of this time you will also cook the mushrooms).
• HERBED RICOTTA - put ricotta, lemon zest, parsley, dill and garlic in a small bowl and season with pepper and mix well to combine and put in the fridge until required.
• Put the mushrooms, stem side up on the second tray and spray with cooking spray and roast in the oven with the tomato halves for the last 10 minutes of cooking or until mushrooms are tender and tomato halves start to shrivel around the edges.
• Divide the mushrooms between 2 plates and spoon equal amounts of the herbed ricotta between the 4 mushroom caps .
• Place the tomato halves on the plates.
• Toss the rocket leaves (or baby salad leaves) in the balsamic vinegar together and place on the tomato halves.
• Serve with the bread (toasted if you like) and your juice of choice.