Clinton Kellys Ricotta Mozzarella And Spinach Bites Recipe 415 Recipes

SPINACH AND RICOTTA CALZONE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Lightly dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour. Roll the dough out into an 8 by 11-inch oval.
• In a medium bowl, mix the spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place all the filling on 1 half of the dough leaving a 3/4-inch border along the edge.
• Fold the remaining dough over the filling until the edges line up and pinch the edges together to seal. Gently roll the pinched edges under to form a decorative rim.
• Place the calzone on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal and brush the top with olive oil.
• Bake until golden brown and the center is hot and melted, 25 minutes, rotating midway through cooking.
• Basic Pizza Dough:
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water, about 110 degrees F
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
• 1 teaspoon salt
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together yeast, warm water, sugar and olive oil. Let sit for about 3 minutes to fully dissolve and activate the yeast.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
• With a rubber spatula, gradually mix the yeast mixture into the flour until just combined and dough barely holds together. Turn the dough out onto a clean counter surface dusted with flour.
• Knead the dough with flour-dusted hands until the dough has become smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. The surface should be tight and silky and bounce back slightly when pressed. Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with olive oil and place the dough in it.
• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Once doubled, punch the dough down and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Knead each 1 slightly to form a uniform ball. Set aside and cover them with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap to rest for 30 minutes.
• Cook's Note: Dough can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight once it is divided. Keep covered tightly in plastic wrap or in a sealed food storage bag.
• Yield: 2 dough balls

SPINACH RICOTTA BITES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat and cook the onions for 4 minutes until tender.3. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute then set aside to cool.4. Whisk eggs in a bowl and stir in ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.5. Once combined, stir in spinach, salt and cooled onion and garlic mixture.6. Pour the mixture into greased mini muffin cups.7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the filling is set and golden on top. If necessary use a sharp knife to cut around sides of bites to release.

SPINACH RICOTTA GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, spinach and scant 1/2 teaspoon salt. Saute until the spinach has completely wilted. Transfer the spinach to a strainer set over a bowl. Cool to room temperature. When the spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Roughly chop the spinach and add it to a medium bowl. Add the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
• Lay the sliced bread on a clean work surface. Coat the top of each slice with butter. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lay 4 of the slices in the skillet, butter-side down. Scoop about 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture onto each slice. Spread the mixture evenly to cover the whole slice, then top with the other slices of bread, butter-side up. Cook until the first side is golden and toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melty, an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the sandwiches to a clean work surface and let them cool for 1 minute before slicing.

BAKED RICOTTA AND SPINACH RIGATONI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook rigatoni for 5 minutes in a pot of boiling, salted water. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
• To make the bechamel sauce:
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the shallots and garlic. Sweat the shallots and garlic for a few minutes until softened and but not colored. Add the flour and stir until a smooth paste forms. Gradually whisk in the wine and then the milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, to taste. Let cool slightly.
• Transfer cooled bechamel to a large mixing bowl and add the spinach, ricotta, and eggs. Mix in rigatoni and transfer to a greased 9 by13-inch baking dish. Top with grated mozzarella. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned on top, the center is no longer runny, and the sides are bubbly.