Description
Ina Garten’s heirloom tomato salad showcases fresh summer produce with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and high-quality olive oil create a simple yet elegant dish that beckons you to savor each colorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pints (1.2 litres) assorted heirloom tomatoes
- 2 cups (500 g) fresh ricotta
- 4 cups (1 litre) whole milk
- 2 cups (475 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (15 g) julienned fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) minced scallions
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) minced fresh dill
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) minced fresh chives
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) good white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) good olive oil
- Additional olive oil for drizzling
- 1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fleur de sel
Instructions
- Ricotta Preparation: Line a fine-mesh strainer with dampened cheesecloth over a deep container. Heat milk, cream, and salt in a stainless-steel pot to a robust boil, stirring occasionally.
- Curdling Process: Remove from heat, add vinegar, and let sit briefly until curdles form. Transfer mixture to the prepared strainer, allowing drainage for 20-25 minutes based on desired ricotta consistency.
- Ricotta Finishing: Transfer ricotta to a clean bowl, discarding cheesecloth and liquid. Refrigerate or use within 4-5 days.
- Herb Infusion: Blend ricotta with scallions, dill, chives, salt, and black pepper. Let flavors meld for up to 30 minutes.
- Tomato Composition: Slice tomatoes into wedges and halves. Toss with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Incorporate fresh basil leaves just before serving.
- Plating Technique: Spread herbed ricotta across a large shallow serving dish. Carefully arrange tomatoes using a slotted spoon to minimize liquid. Enhance with additional olive oil, scattered basil leaves, and a sprinkle of fleur de sel. Serve at room temperature to optimize flavor profile.
Notes
- Ricotta Texture Control: Adjust draining time between 20-25 minutes to achieve desired creaminess, with shorter times yielding softer consistency.
- Flavor Infusion Technique: Allow herbed ricotta mixture to rest 30 minutes, enabling herbs to deeply penetrate and enhance overall taste profile.
- Tomato Selection Tip: Choose variety of heirloom tomatoes for vibrant colors and diverse flavor dimensions, ensuring visual and gustatory appeal.
- Serving Temperature Strategy: Serve at room temperature to unlock maximum flavor complexity and allow ingredients to develop nuanced taste characteristics.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg