Ricotta Basil Tomato Tea Sandwiches Recipes

Steps:

• For the tapenade, place the anchovies in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Let stand for 10 minutes to remove the salt. Drain.
• Using a small knife, lift the anchovy fillets from their bones.
• In a food processor, pulse the anchovy fillets with the remaining ingredients until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and mix well. Serve at room temperature. Makes about 3/4 cup.
• To make each sandwich, spread 1 toasted bread slice with 2 Tablespoons of tampenade.
• Cover with a few overlapping tomato slices, drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
• Spread with 2 Tablespoons fresh ricotta, season again with salt and pepper, then top with 3 basil leaves.
• Top with another slice of toasted bread, then cut in half with a serrated knife.
• Variations: Make this into an open-faced sandwich and serve with a bouquet of dressed salad greens. Substitute Roquefort cheese for the ricotta and leave out the tapenade.

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.

Steps:

• Cut 16 small rounds of bread (to make 8 sandwiches) with a round cookie cutter--should be able to get two out of each piece of bread, otherwise, use a larger cutter and more bread.
• Spread one of the rounds with a little butter and then a little mayonnaise.
• Top each with a slice of tomato, cheese round, and a couple of basil leaves (each should fit the bread round).
• Lightly salt and pepper each one and put a couple of drops of olive oil on top.
• Place other bread round on top.
• Refrigerate till ready for the tea.

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F ) Oil side and line with baking paper the base of 20cm springform tin.
• Beat ricotta, feta, eggs and garlic until smooth. Stir in basil.
• Put into prepared tin and smooth top. Arrange tomatoes on top cut-side up.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until set and golden.
• Cool completely before putting in fridge for at least1 hour to firm.

Steps:

• Put cucumbers in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, then toss. Add chile, basil, lime juice, dill, tarragon, mint and chives. Toss well.
• Spread ricotta generously over each ciabatta toast. Spoon cucumber mixture over ricotta on each toast. Garnish with cilantro springs and calendula petals, if using.