You see those white chunks with grill marks on them? That is ricotta salata. Salted ricotta cheese on a flavorful tomato salad. I could eat this salad every day for lunch.
Ricotta salata is one of my absolute favorite cheeses in the world. It is a ricotta cheese that has been pressed, salted, and dried and it is simply amazing!
The tomatoes…you may remember (or not) that I participate in a Vintage Recipe Swap that my friend Christianna from Burwell General Store put together a couple years ago. It’s a cozy and casual swap where the group is given a vintage recipe to change up and make your own. The cool part of this swap is that the members every month stray so far from the original and get really creative. The fun part for me is seeing how far everyone runs with the original recipe. This is the original recipe:
Tomato and Ricotta Salata Salad with Gazpacho Dressing
Ingredients for Gazpacho Dressing:
8 ounces cucumber (about 1 cucumber), halved, seeded and peeled
3 ounces red pepper (about 1/2 red pepper), chopped
4 plum tomatoes
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 cup tomato juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (add more as needed for taste)
salt and pepper, to taste
for the salad:
1 beefsteak tomato, sliced thick
2 hearts of palm, sliced
1 tablespoon toasted pinoli nuts
4 basil leaves
3 slices of ricotta salata marked on the grill (if you can’t find this cheese, you can omit it)
handful of frisée lettuce (substitute with another lettuce if you prefer)
To make the gazpacho dressing:
If you can let it chill for an hour, that is great because the more time it gets to rest, the more flavorful it will be.
Assembly:
The tomato slices are stacked. Place the first tomato slice in the center of the plate. Place two basil leaves in between the first tomato and the second. Place two more basil leaves on top of the second tomato slice and top with the last tomato. Scatter the hearts of palm slices around the plate. Place the frisée lettuce on top of the tomatoes and stack the ricotta salata slices against the lettuce. Drizzle your chilled gazpacho around the salad (drizzle according to your taste. If you like more dressing, go ahead and pour instead of drizzle). Sprinkle on the toasted pinoli.
Buon Appetito!
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ophelia1983 says
it looks delicious!!!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
That's the most beautiful styling! I'd hate to mess it up by eating it. (I would though!)
Mary says
This is gorgeous! You are so blessed to have a chef husband. What a fun story and recipe for the swap!
Sara Grace says
oh my! that looks delectable!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Oh my, this salad looks super yummy, and it's stunning.
Ken│hungry rabbit says
A delightful course as we step into warmer weather. If only you could sneak a douse of booze into the dish, then it would be 110% perfection,
Kiri W. says
Oh wow - what beautiful, beautiful plating 🙂 This looks utterly luxurious 🙂
Suzi says
This is a beautiful salad. Funny I was looking for that cheese yesterday and could not find it. Lovve the Gazpacho Dressing
.
The Cozy Herbivore says
What an awesome salad-- although I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled for a tomato cake from you. Now I'm intrigued too!
A Thought For Food says
I'm so ready for tomato season! And that ricotta salata looks marvelous. Those grill marks! Fabulous!
Alex says
perfect salad. love the photos!
marla says
I could eat this everyday for lunch + dinner too!! Beautiful Lora 🙂
Sandra M. says
That is just gorgeous, Lora! You are lucky girl having hubby for a chef!:) Thank you for sharing sweetness and have a lovely day!!
Reeni says
I think your picture is stunning! I never grill my ricotta salata and I can see how wrong I've been. I want to eat this everyday too! xoxo
Marnely Rodriguez-Murray says
Love the composition! Gorgeous!
Junglefrog says
I can almost picture you sitting under that table trying to find the right light for that delicious looking salad..;0) It looks very good!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Ah Ricotta Salata...Ottimo!
Reem | Simply Reem says
God!!! I am sure this is the most stunning picture I have seen for a salad...
Gorgeous!!!
The recipe looks lovely!!!
Shulie says
Love this post Miss Lora. As much as I love the vintage recipes idea I went tomato pudding?! I love your fresh springy twist on the recipe and your restaurant chronicles. Sometimes it takes one good photo to convey the feel of the dish and you did a beautiful job at that. I also think F's photo plating the dish illustrates so much. Real good snap shot telling an entire story.
The Dusty Baker says
I WANT A HUSBAND THAT CAN DO THIS FOR ME!!! 🙂 That does look like a beautiful salad - mmm! A friend made a gorgeous tomato bread pudding - fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, all cheesy and crisp - but I had to go with my craving for this one. Bravo to you both (and this one pic definitely is gorgeous).
Pola M says
Perfect styling! And must be delcious too!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
Love this story...how nice that your husband participated in your efforts and how nice for us that we got to see:
1. The gorgeous salad he made and...
2. The gorgeous hubs.
Thank you for both. 🙂
Rachel says
I'd eat ricotta salata every day too if I could! It's definitely one of my favorite cheeses.
What a wonderful husband you have. This post is such a great window into your life as a food blogger - inspiration, great ideas, so much to do, wonderful husband, and eventual success in a way you didn't envision at first.
Lana says
I am going to hide now because I have never tasted ricotta salata and I LOVE cheese! This will have to be rectified soon as this dish is too beautiful to miss. Simple, fresh, great quality ingredients - who can ask for more?
And it is a gorgeous photo, truly:)
Savoring Italy says
lol! Lana...it's ok. I think it's not as common here as the other ricotta;)Now you need to find some and try it!:)Thank you:)grazie:)
simple baking says
Love the grill marks on the ricotta.
First time visiting your space and it's lovely.
Jeanette says
Gorgeous presentation - you're so lucky your husband is a chef! Beautiful photo.
Savoring Italy says
I am blessed for sure. Thanks, Jeanette!:)
Bunkycooks says
I am so happy that Fabrizio was willing to prepare this beautiful salad and share the recipe. This is something I know we would enjoy. It could not be better timing as we will soon be seeing beautiful Heirloom tomatoes in the Farmers' Markets!
Savoring Italy says
Luckily this is the prime of our tomato season:) I'm happy you like the salad;)
Paula says
The food makes the dish of course but the presentation is what makes you want the food. Great presentation...mouth-watering actually.
Natalie Atick says
I was intrigued by your blog name and coming over here did not disappoint!!! Exactly what I was expecting pure elegance and gorgeous presentation! Love the dish!
Savoring Italy says
Thank you, Natalie:)So happy you came by to visit. I appreciate your support!
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
I think I can eat this salad all the time, too, and don't sell yourself short--your picture is beautiful!
Have a great weekend, Lora!
Savoring Italy says
Thank you, Jean:)You have a wonderful weekend, too:)
Karriann says
That's soooo divine! The presentation is love 🙂
"Spice it Up"
Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin says
I absolutely love hearts of palm, but never think to cook with them. Thanks for this delicious-sounding dish!
Claudia says
I adore cooking with ricotta salata! This just dances - and then the gazpacho dressing just make me feel like spring.
Lisa says
This is a brilliant recipe, Lora, especially with summer and all the beautiful tomatoes looming. I adore ricotta salata and the gazpacho dressing sounds wonderful - so creative! Gorgeous photo of it too! Good to know just focusing only on the food is ok, because that's all I've got right now - sans natural light.
Becca says
That is so beautiful, it makes me want to eat healthier! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jersey Girl Cooks says
What a gorgeous looking salad! I am sure it is delicious and healthy too.
Lizzy says
Time to pick up some ricotta salata! I could eat this beautiful salad day after day. And your photo is just stunning...I need to take your advice and find some sun and focus on the food 🙂 Thanks for sharing this deliciousness, Lora!
PS...your husband is a keeper for sure!!! xo
Magic of Spice says
What a stunning salad! And I cheese I have yet to try, will have to pick some up next time I go to WF,
sounds delightful 🙂
Monet says
Now if this isn't a stunner, I don't know what is! Talk about GORGEOUS presentation. Amazing flavor too, I'm sure. Thank you for sharing. Your post has whetted my appetite, and now I need to get creative and make dinner. I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!
Chic & Gorgeous Treats says
Oh wow! What a stunner.. I loved all the colours on the plate ;).. Must try grilling my own ricotta "provided I don't burn them myself" LOL.. Have a good week Lora!! xoxo
Alli Shircliff says
What a lovely picture! Totally understand that feeling of taking 25 pictures, which lead up to the 1 perfect one 🙂 Ricotta Salata with hearts of palm...now that is my kind of salad!
Ivona Poyntz says
The ricotta sald looks amazing: your presentation is superb, and so healthy too.