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Electric Pink Pasta Is Oh-So-Scrumptious

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:38 -0700

All month long, we've bombarded you with decadent macaroni and cheese recipes. While mac and cheese is delicious and comforting, with an excess of milk and cheese, it's not the healthiest pasta. That's why I thought it was time I share a light and fresh pasta like this rigatoni with ricotta and roasted beets.Don't be alarmed by the vibrant color, the beets stain the pasta pink. It may look unfamiliar, but it tastes earthy and thanks to the ricotta, slightly creamy. Roasted red onions and tons of spinach make this pasta hearty enough to serve as a main course. The alarming yet fun color would please the palate of children, especially around Halloween. To check out the recipe, read more.

Rigatoni With Ricotta and Roasted Beets
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

4 beets (about 3/4 pound), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound rigatoni pasta
5 cups baby spinach (about 8 ounces)
1 cup ricotta cheese
Grated peel from 1 lemon, plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°.
On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly with foil and roast for 15 minutes.
Unwrap, then arrange the beets in a single layer.
In a small bowl, toss the onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper; arrange on the baking sheet. Roast, tossing halfway through, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente.
Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the spinach.
In a bowl, whisk the ricotta, reserved pasta water, lemon peel, lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add to the pasta along with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper; toss.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Roasted Garlic White Pizza

partysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:16 -0700

After a long week, there's nothing like heading home to a delicious dinner and a glass of good wine. When I'm stressed out, I find cooking relaxing - especially if I'm making something like a roasted garlic white pizza.

Instead of a classic tomato sauce, this pizza is slathered with a paste made from roasted garlic. It's then topped with spinach, bacon, ricotta, and mozzarella. Talk about a scrumptious pie! To kick-start your weekend with this dish, get the recipe and read more.

Roasted Garlic-and-Spinach White Pizza
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

12 cloves garlic, unpeeled
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cornmeal
12 ounces refrigerated pizza dough
2 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
One 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Salt and pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325°.
Place the garlic on a sheet of foil; drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon water. Seal and bake until soft, about 30 minutes; let cool slightly.
Squeeze the garlic cloves from their skins into a small bowl; add 2 teaspoons olive oil and mash into a paste.
Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil; dust with the cornmeal. Stretch the pizza dough into a large rectangle and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes; stretch again to almost fill the pan.
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425°. In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes; drain and transfer to a plate. Add the spinach to the skillet and cook over low heat until warmed through; season with salt and pepper.
Brush the pizza dough with the garlic paste. Top with the spinach and dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle with the bacon and mozzarella.
Bake for 15 minutes, lower the temperature to 400° and bake until the cheese is brown and bubbling, about 10 minutes.

Serves 4.

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Sweet 'n' Creamy Caramelized Figs With Ricotta Mousse

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:07 -0700

I am falling for figs and can't resist trying just about every recipe! After enjoying the figs in a blanket, it was time for something sweet rather than savory. Something like caramelized figs with ricotta mousse.

The simple, light, orange-infused ricotta mousse can be made ahead of time, and caramelizing the figs only takes about 15 minutes. When adding the balsamic vinegar to the syrup - be careful! - I suggest having the pan's lid handy to avoid any splatter.

Once the mousse is topped with warm balsamic caramel and sweet figs, it's the perfect dessert to finish a Fall dinner. If you are short on time and can't make the smooth creamy ricotta mousse, the caramelized figs would be equally tasty served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To get started caramelizing your own figs, keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled Ratatouille With Ricotta

partysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:50:36 -0700

Traditionally, ratatouille is a slow-cooked vegetable dish that can simmer on the stove for hours. However, this recipe takes the basic elements and makes them accessible to the busy home cook. Instead of combining the zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers in a large pot, the vegetables are individually charred on the grill. A generous shaving of salty cheese and a chunk of toasted bread slathered with chopped olives makes this a hearty, yet healthy vegetarian meal. For the recipe, keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grape-Stuffed Meatballs With Flatbread

partysugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:50:16 -0700

Treat your family tonight to a creative meal that is satisfying in texture and flavor. The flatbread is crunchy, the soft meatballs are filled with a juicy grape in the center, and the cheese is creamy.

Honey provides a sweet counterpart to the peppery arugula. With so many different elements, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleasing success. Check out the recipe when you read more.

Grape-Stuffed Meatballs With Flatbread
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

2 pounds ground pork or turkey
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon grill seasoning
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 clove garlic, grated or finely chopped
Salt and pepper
12 red or black seedless grapes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups arugula, chopped
1 cup basil leaves, torn
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons honey
4 flatbreads

Directions

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium. In a large bowl, combine the pork, balsamic vinegar, grill seasoning, fennel seeds, crushed red pepper and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
Divide into 4 equal portions; form each into 3 meatballs. Press 1 grape into each meatball, then pinch the meat to seal.
Coat the meatballs with 2 tablespoons oli and thread onto skewers. Cover and grill, turning, until firm and cooked through, about 18 minutes.
In another large bowl, toss the arugula, basil and parsley with the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta and honey; season with pepper.
Warm the flatbread on the grill. Top each with greens, some ricotta mixture and 3 meatballs.

Serves 4.

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Come Party With Me: Farmers Market Feast - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:30:12 -0700

No meal inspired by the farmers market is complete without a juicy fruit dessert. Since strawberries are at their peak now, take advantage of their natural sweetness and incorporate them into a light treat.

The recipe shown here is an updated version of strawberry shortcake. A quick, lemony shortbread stands in for the traditional biscuit, while a fluffy ricotta cheese replaces the heavy whipping cream. This dessert is a welcome conclusion to any backyard dinner, so check out the recipe and read more.

Strawberries with Sweet Ricotta and Lemon Shortbread
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced (about 3 cups)
½ cup plus 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
Coarse sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°.
In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar.
In another bowl, mix the ricotta with 1½ tablespoons of the sugar.
In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the butter, the remaining 1/4 cup of the sugar, the lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Add the flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing as you go, until a dough forms. (It will be crumbly but should stick together.)
Transfer the dough to an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan and press it into an even layer. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and prick all over with a fork, making sure to poke all the way through. With the handle of the fork, score the dough into 8 equal rectangles.
Bake the shortbread until the edges are browned and the middle is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the shortbread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes (it will darken slightly), then cut along the scored lines while the shortbread is still warm. Transfer the pieces to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Divide the ricotta equally among 8 shallow bowls, then top with the strawberries and their juices and a piece of shortbread.

Serves 8.

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Ricotta Slather Is World's Easiest Appetizer

partysugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:30:36 -0700

You can't go wrong with a cheesy baked appetizer dish. They must be prepared in advance, are easy to make, vegetarian friendly, and crowd pleasing. What's not to like about melted cheese?? While baked feta with marinara is one of my favorites, I recently experimented with a ricotta slather. According to the Best Casserole Cookbook Ever, a slather is "something you spread generously on crisp croutons or toasted slices of French bread." This recipes highlights the pure creaminess of ricotta cheese and is studded with garlic, cracked black pepper, and fresh chopped herbs. Although it's incredibly simple and uncomplicated to make, don't be afraid to serve this to guests - it's elegant and delicious. Leftovers make a scrumptious sauce when tossed with cooked pasta. Whether you make your own ricotta or not, you'll need the recipe so read more.

Baked Ricotta Slather With Garlic and Herbs
From The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, rosemary, and thyme
1/4 cup heavy cream
12 slices French bread, toasted or grilled, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°F.
Coat a 1-quart casserole with the olive oil.
In a large bowl, stir the ricotta together with the salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and cream.
Transfer to the casserole. Bake uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the cheese is creamy and hot. Serve with the French bread slices.

Serves 12.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Penne With Pesto and Ricotta

partysugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:50:38 -0700

A classic pesto sauce consists of fresh basil and pine nuts, but when basil is not in season, the thick fragrant sauce can easily be made with other herbs and greens. In this recipe the pesto is a blended mixture of spinach, arugula, parsley, and walnuts.

It's tossed with whole wheat pasta to create a dish that is healthful and filling. A heaping dollop of ricotta cheese laced with honey adds a touch of creamy sweetness to the pasta. For the recipe to this creative vegetarian dinner, read more.

Penne With Pesto and Ricotta
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

Salt
1 pound whole wheat penne rigate pasta
1/3 cup walnut pieces
1 cup packed spinach or baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup packed arugula leaves
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled
Pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese (a couple of generous handfuls)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a ladleful of the pasta cooking water.
In a small skillet, toast the nuts over medium-low heat, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, about 4 minutes; let cool.
Using a food processor, puree the nuts, spinach, arugula, parsley and garlic; season with salt and pepper. With the machine on, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream and mix until a thick paste forms.
Transfer the pesto to a large pasta bowl; stir in the parmigiano-reggiano and reserved pasta cooking water.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta and honey, season with pepper and set aside.
Add the pasta to the pesto, toss and let stand for 1 minute. Serve with dollops of the honey ricotta.

Serves 4.

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Say Cheese! Fresh Ricotta

partysugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:00:07 -0800

One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn more about cheese, and now that it's almost March, I decided I better get on it! Don't worry readers, I'm taking you along for the ride: allow me to introduce my new feature devoted to the wonderful world of cheese. Each week, I'll pick a different type of cheese and use it in a delectable recipe. First up: homemade fresh ricotta. To learn more about this creamy cheese and check out the surprisingly easy recipe, read more.

The word ricotta means "recooked" in Italian, and the fresh cheese is not actually a cheese - it's a whey cheese. Whey is the leftover liquid that separates from the curds when making mozzarella, provolone, romano, etc. The remaining protein-rich byproduct is harvested, made more acidic, and reheated to create ricotta. Ricotta can be made from the whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk, but most American ricotta is a combination of whey and store-bought cow milk. Fresh ricotta has a slightly grainy texture and moist, almost sweet flavor. It's used in both savory (lasagna) and sweet (cheesecake) preparations.

This homemade variation is from the January issue of Bon Appétit. I was shocked when I read the article and saw how simple the recipe is: it only involves three common ingredients. After allowing plenty of time to chill, use in any recipe that calls for ricotta (stay tuned to find out how I used mine!).

Fresh Ricotta
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

8 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
tools: slotted spoon or fine-mesh skimmer, cheesecloth*, medium colander

Directions

Line a medium colander with four layers of cheesecloth. Set the cheesecloth-lined colander in the sink.
Bring the whole milk and salt to a simmer in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium-high heat.
Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Simmer the milk mixture gently until curds form, usually one to two minutes.
Using a slotted spoon or mesh skimmer, transfer the curds to the prepared colander. Let them drain for only a minute.
Transfer the ricotta to a medium bowl. It can be served right away, or covered and chilled up to two days.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

*I forgot to purchase cheesecloth, so instead of using a colander, I used a fine mesh strainer lined with a paper towel - it worked fine!

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Off to Market: Slotted Spoon

partysugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:30:22 -0800

In the January issue of Bon Appétit magazine there's a recipe for homemade, fresh ricotta that I'm dying to try. Although the recipe only calls for three simple ingredients, it requires several cooking utensils. One of them is a good slotted spoon. I know this may be hard to believe, but I don't own a good slotted spoon, I don't even own a bad one! Can you help me find this essential tool so I can finally make the ricotta? Head off to market in search of a reliable slotted spoon. Bookmark the spoons in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Slotted Spoon.

Geeksugar has put together a post that explains how to bookmark. Check it out for more details. Not sure where to start looking? Be inspired by some of my favorite online stores when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market