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Basil Whipped Ricotta with Tomato Salad + scenes from rome!

Basil whipped ricotta with a late summer tomato salad.
Basil Whipped Ricotta with Tomato Salad | A late summer tomato and cucumber salad on a bed of basil whipped ricotta. The best way to use up the bountiful end of summer produce.

I took my first trip to Rome nearly ten years ago.

The memories are vivid.

The sounds and colors and tastes were pure magic.

Each trip back is different than the one before. My connection to that city strengthens and morphs. But nothing will beat my first time there and my first Roma tomato experience. It was the deepest, juiciest, umami-ist tomato I had ever eaten in my life. It was if I had never actually eaten tomatoes before. I never knew tomatoes could taste and feel this way.

Every once in a while I have a near Roma tomato experience. It usually comes late summer. From a tomato that has assumedly never been refrigerated. Vine-ripened. Most likely an heirloom variety.

The yellow tomatoes pictured in this basil whipped ricotta dish capture just that. This plate is exactly what I want to eat everyday come mid-August to early September. It comes together in under ten minutes and can be made prior to serving.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

I’ve mentioned this many times before, but eating gluten-free in Italy is actually a dream. They take extra care and consideration for persons with celiac disease. A little known fact is that although gf options might not be listed on the menu, most osterias and trattorias in larger cities have gluten-free pasta available. All you have to do is ask. Risotto, a popular Italian rice dish is naturally gluten-free, so if pasta isn’t available this is a great alternative.

But! Most importantly! Rome is home to the best gluten-free pizza I’ve ever had. In my entire life. And you can find it in two spots. I dream about these spots. And in my mind I go back and forth about which one is best.

Here are just a few of my gluten-free Rome musts.

Voglia di Pizza – they have an entire gf menu. Their pasta’s are amazing. But this is the best gf pizza I’ve ever had. When I’m in Rome, I eat there at least once a day and never regret it (pizza pictured above).

Mama Eat – the gf pizza is amazing, but everything else is just meh.

NaturaSi – an organic grocery store chain that has everything you need. They’re scattered about the city in convenient locations.

Campo dé Fiori – my favorite place to grab all the seasonal produce, cheese, olives and olive oil. Eat it on a bench with a bottle of red wine while watching the Tiber roll on.

Fatamorgana Gelateria – there are a few locations throughout the city. They have the most amazing flavor combinations. Thank you Lily for passing along this recommendation.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Gluten-free In Rome | Italy is a gluten-free paradise. A guide for dealing with celiac disease in Rome, Italy.

Basil Whipped Ricotta with Tomato Salad | A late summer tomato and cucumber salad on a bed of basil whipped ricotta. The best way to use up the bountiful end of summer produce.

Basil Whipped Ricotta with Tomato Salad
Author: Sherrie Castellano | With Food + Love
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
I like to use whole milk ricotta because if you’re going to eat this it might as well be the creamiest. But part-skim ricotta will work as well. This can be made in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Any variety of tomatoes will work in this recipe, and cucumbers could be substituted in for the zucchini.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 medium heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup zucchini, halved and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
  1. In a food processor pulse the ricotta, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper until it’s super smooth and creamy.
  2. In a small mixing bowl combine the tomatoes, zucchini, parsley, vinegar and remaining olive oil and pinch of sea salt.
  3. To plate, top each portion of ricotta with the salad and serve.

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Veronika

Wednesday 8th of November 2017

Lovely blog and amazing recipes! Have to try a few of them.

Deb

Friday 8th of September 2017

I recently started eating ricotta on toast, topped with a thick slice of tomato (the garden plants finally ripened) and a slight sprinkle of coarse salt for breakfast. Sheer heaven. I'll try your recipe this weekend.

Sherrie

Wednesday 13th of September 2017

Deb, that sounds heavenly.

Debra

Friday 25th of August 2017

Hello. I'm planning to make this delicious sounding/looking salad tomorrow. What am I to do with the parsley mentioned in the ingredient list but not in the instructions? Is it a garnish or does it go in the blender?

Sherrie

Wednesday 13th of September 2017

Hi Debra, I'm sorry for the confusion! I've fixed the instructions accordingly.

Sara @ Cake Over Steak

Wednesday 23rd of August 2017

Oh my gosh this post is like everything I love in life. I loved Rome when I went several years ago, and I'm hoping to get back there in a couple years. Whipped ricotta and summer tomatoes are two of my other favorite things. I'm hoping to try this out this weekend.

Julia @ Happy Foods Tube

Monday 21st of August 2017

I am salivating here! This salad must taste amazing and that pizza omg. I've been to Italy a few times and the food is unreal there.

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