Asparagus With Lemon Ricotta Recipes

ASPARAGUS, LEMON & RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a circle roughly 35cm in diameter. Use the rolling pin to pick up the pastry, then drape it over a 27cm deep, loose-bottomed tart tin. Press the pastry into the sides, then prick the base with a fork. Cover with cling film, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unwrap the tart and line with baking parchment and baking beans. Cook on a baking sheet for 10-15 mins, until just starting to firm up. Beat 1 of the eggs. Remove the beans and baking parchment, then lightly brush the tart all over with the beaten egg. Cook for another 5-10 mins until the pastry is golden and crisp all over, then leave to cool.
• Reduce the oven to 180C/fan 160C/ gas 4. Whisk together the remaining eggs, then pour in the cream and lemon zest and whisk until well combined. Season with salt and pour into a large jug. Pour the cream mixture into the tart case, then arrange the asparagus spears on top. Dollop over teaspoonfuls of ricotta and sprinkle with the mint, then carefully slide into the oven. Cook for 25-30 mins until the quiche is set with just the faintest wobble in the middle. Leave to cool at least 10 mins before serving either warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with salt flakes.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS, RICOTTA AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of light salted water to a boil for cooking the penne.
• Stir together the ricotta, 1/4 cup of the parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
• Add the penne to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until the penne is al dente (Do not overcook penne) and the asparagus is tender, 4 to 5 minutes longer. Reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and asparagus and place in a large bowl.
• Add 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the ricotta mixture, whisking until smooth. Toss the pasta with the ricotta sauce.
• Pass the remaining parmesan separately.
• One serving is 11/2 cups.
• VARIATION: Penne with Spinach, Ricotta, and Lemon.
• In step 3 omit the asparagus; cook the penne for 8 to10 minutes. While the penne is cooking, cook one 10 ounce (300-gram) package of frozen spinach according to package directions. In step 4 Toss the penne with the ricotta sauce and spinach.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH DELTA ASPARAGUS AND MEYER LEMON

Steps:

• Line a colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth, then add the ricotta. Tie the corners shut. Let sit over a bowl so that the liquid can run out, refrigerated, 8 hours or overnight.
• Place a large pot of water on the stove; salt as you would for pasta and bring to a boil.
• Place the drained ricotta and 1/4 cup Parmesan in a large bowl. Add the eggs and whisk vigorously for a minute or two. Add a pinch of salt, a little pepper, and fold in the flour, a couple tablespoons at a time, just until incorporated.
• Turn the water down to a gentle boil, and with two spoons, form the batter into football shapes, then drop directly into the boiling water. (You will have to process the batter in two to three batches as you can cook about 12 gnocchi at a time.) Cook, stirring to flip them over, until the gnocchi float to the top and are firm to the touch, about 2 minutes. The gnocchi are delicate, so gently remove from the water and place on a sheet tray or baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and set aside.
• Peel the ends of the asparagus, then thinly slice. Place 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and add the asparagus. Sweat until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the zest, chicken stock and butter, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat the gnocchi by carefully adding to the asparagus mixture and let heat for a minute or 2.
• Place in a large serving bowl and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain, 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, Parmesan and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside.
• Once the water has boiled, add the cavatelli and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic, then add the sliced asparagus and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining asparagus juice and the remaining tablespoon lemon juice and cook until the pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper.