BAKED RICOTTA WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

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Baked Ricotta With Spring Vegetables image

Here's a multipurpose dish that is perfect for spring, but can also highlight other seasons. It comes from Dan Kluger at Loring Place in Greenwich Village. He made it in winter, studded with squash and mushrooms. For spring, he scattered pickled ramps, favas and spring onions on top. But he said that other seasonal vegetables like artichokes, peas, morel mushrooms and asparagus could be used. As summer rolls in, there will be a different cast of characters to consider, like zucchini, cherry tomatoes and peppers. The dish works as a first course for four or a lunch dish for two, and could even replace salad and cheeses at a more elaborate dinner.

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     lunch, snack, dips and spreads, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 medium-thick asparagus, ends snapped, slant-cut in 1-inch pieces
1 ounce fresh mushrooms, preferably morels or oyster mushrooms, separated in pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/2 ounce grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 1/3 cup)
3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella
1/2 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
1 large egg plus 1 yolk
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pesto
4 freshly cooked, canned or frozen baby artichoke hearts, quartered
2 scallions, trimmed and minced
1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves, in chiffonade
4 slices sourdough or multigrain bread
1 clove garlic

Steps:

  • Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil, add the asparagus and blanch 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Toss mushrooms with 2 teaspoons of the oil and sear in a small skillet over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet with 1 teaspoon oil. Place ricotta in a bowl. Fold in the Parmesan, mozzarella, oregano, egg and egg yolk. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in the cast-iron skillet. Gently swirl in the pesto, leaving streaks of it.
  • Heat a broiler. Place the cast-iron skillet on a burner turned to low and let cook about 10 minutes, until heated through and showing signs of browning along the edges. Remove from heat. Scatter the asparagus, mushrooms and artichokes on top. Sprinkle with scallions and mint. Place under the broiler close to the source of heat until it starts to become lightly dappled, about 6 minutes.
  • Meanwhile grill or toast the bread. Brush with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and rub with garlic. Serve the cheese and vegetables directly from the skillet, with grilled bread alongside.

Kanamboh
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I'm not a huge fan of ricotta cheese, but I'm willing to give this recipe a try. It looks so good!


Salma Ben
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This recipe looks absolutely divine! I can't wait to try it out this weekend. Thanks for sharing!


Kwin Favour
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I'm always looking for new vegetarian recipes, and this one definitely caught my eye. I'm excited to try it out!


Muhammed imran
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This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids loved the crispy bread crumbs and the sweet vegetables.


VonVon Daniels
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I'm not sure if I did something wrong, but my dish turned out a bit dry. I think I might have overcooked the vegetables.


Nothing is possible
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I would definitely make this dish again. It's a great way to showcase spring vegetables and it's a nice change of pace from the usual pasta or rice dishes.


Marwa Muradi
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This recipe was a bit time-consuming, but it was worth the effort. The final product was a delicious and impressive dish that was perfect for a special occasion.


sujan grg
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I'm not a big fan of ricotta cheese, but I was pleasantly surprised by this dish. The vegetables and bread crumbs really helped to balance out the flavor of the ricotta.


Fahad Farouk
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Overall, I enjoyed this dish and would recommend it to others. It's a great way to use up spring vegetables and it's a relatively easy recipe to follow.


Miracle Wealth
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The ricotta was a bit too runny for my liking. I think I would try using a thicker ricotta next time, or maybe even a combination of ricotta and cottage cheese.


Hamza Mayo
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I found this recipe to be a bit too bland for my taste. I would have liked a little more seasoning or herbs to give it more flavor.


Chamesh Madushan
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The presentation of this dish was stunning. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and the golden brown bread crumbs made it look like a work of art. It was almost too pretty to eat!


Bassey Asuquo
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This dish was a hit with my family! Everyone loved the creamy ricotta, flavorful vegetables, and crispy bread crumbs. It's definitely a recipe I'll be making again and again.


Tyson Omondi Otieno
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The crispy bread crumbs added a nice textural contrast to the soft ricotta and vegetables. They also helped to absorb some of the excess moisture, making each bite perfectly balanced.


Farah Shamim
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I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate vegetables into my diet, and this dish definitely delivered. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, retaining their crispness and natural sweetness. They complemented the creamy ricotta beautifully.


Getachew Tefera
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This baked ricotta dish was a delightful surprise! The combination of creamy ricotta, fresh spring vegetables, and crispy bread crumbs created a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures. The vegetables retained their vibrant colors and flavors, ad