Email to linda tennessee      

Recipe Categories: lindatn's HOME PAGEAPPETIZERS Beans BEVERAGES Blintzes BREAD BREAKFAST butters CAKESandPIES CANDY CASSEROLES CELEBRITYRECEIPES Cheese Cheesecake COOKIES CookingwithandforKids Crepes CROCKPOT DeepFried DESSERTS DUCK EasyeasyEasy EGGS ETHNIC FISHandSEAFOOD FlavoredButters Fondue Fooddescription FRITTATA FRUIT Herbs HolidayTime Home-made IceCream International JAMSandJELLIES KitchenTips LOWFAT MARINADES MEATS MICROWAVE MISCfunfoods Mixes ONEpancooking Oriental PASTA PICKLES PIZZA Potatoes POULTRY Questionstoponder quiche REQUESTEDREQUESTS RICE ROUX SALADandDRESSING SANDWICHES SAUCES sidedish slimdown SNACKS SOUPSandSTEWS sourdoughstarter Spices Stir-Fry SUBSTITUTIONS tarts TeaPartyTime Tennessee thequotOTHERquotedibles VEGETABLES VEGETARIAN WeightWatchers

tomato salad




Source of Recipe


Los Angeles Times


Recipe Introduction


"the aged balsamic adds a depth of flavor that you don't normally expect from a tomato salad."

Servings: 4 to 6 servings


List of Ingredients





3 to 4 pounds heirloom tomatoes (select a broad variety)
Kosher salt or fleur de sel
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
1 recipe croutons
1/2 bunch green or opal basil, torn
1 recipe ricotta

Recipe





Ricotta cheese
4 cups whole milk
1 cup buttermilk
Pinch nutmeg
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. In a heavy saucepan, warm the milk, buttermilk and nutmeg over high heat. Stir the mixture frequently until it reaches 120 degrees (warm to the touch), about 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Stir occasionally; the milk will begin to separate. When it reaches 175 degrees to 180 degrees, about 1 to 2 minutes, gently scrape the bottom of the saucepan. The curds will rise to the top. Cook at 180 degrees for 1 minute.

3. Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl or pot large enough to catch the liquid from the cheese. Pour the contents of the saucepan into the strainer. Gently stir in the Parmesan and salt while the mixture is still hot. Gather up the corners of the cheesecloth and tie it up with string. Let it drain for 15 minutes. Once the ricotta is at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Makes 1 cup.

Croutons

5-inch baguette
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Tear the baguette into chunks, toss lightly with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes until golden. Makes 2 cups.

Tomato salad and assembly


1. Keep the tomatoes at room temperature. Cut them into different shapes and sizes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil. Arrange on serving plates.

2. Drizzle the tomatoes with the aged balsamic vinegar. Scatter the croutons and torn basil atop the tomatoes. Top each salad with two quenelles of ricotta cheese (about 2 tablespoons each).