Cherry Tomato Ricotta Cavatappi Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

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.

CAVATAPPI WITH TOMATOES, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
• Cook cavatappi in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid, and add to tomato mixture. Stir vigorously and add pasta cooking liquid and oil as needed to fully coat. Stir in arugula and black pepper and season with salt.
• Transfer pasta to a serving bowl or platter and dollop with ricotta. Serve immediately.

FIVE INGREDIENT TOMATO RICOTTA LINGUINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season liberally with salt. It should taste like the sea.
• While the water comes to a boil, heat a large saute pan to a medium heat. Add olive oil, once oil is hot, add tomatoes. Saute until tomatoes start to soften, after 5-7 minutes. After 2-3 minutes of cooking, drop the pasta in to the water, make sure to use tongs to separate the noodles.
• Once tomatoes start to soften, add garlic and toss. Saute 2 minutes.
• When the pasta is just under aldente, use tongs to transfer the pasta to the tomatoes and garlic. (We want the pasta to be underdone because it will finish cooking in the sauce). Be sure to reserve cooking liquid! Add 1/2 cup along with the noodles and salt. Use tongs to toss.
• Add ricotta. Toss. If necessary, add another 1/4-1/2 cup of pasta water. (I used 1/2 cup) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

CAVATELLI WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is soft but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the basil and tomatoes with their juice. Increase the heat to high and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the cavatelli and the reserved cooking water to the skillet; cook, tossing, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide among bowls and top with the ricotta and pecorino. Season with salt and pepper.

RICOTTA AND CHIVE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tops of tomatoes and, using small paring knife, remove seeds. In small bowl, combine ricotta, chives, salt & pepper. Using small spoon, fill each tomato with ricotta mixture. Place stuffed tomatoes on baking sheet & bake for 8 minutes or until warmed through. Serve warm.