Ricotta, Feta and Mint Layers with Honeyed Blood Oranges
Looks like Amanda just made a funny!
Right before she went at the feta and ricotta, Amanda said, "What am I doing, mashing? Oh, good -- I love mashing." And pounding, and grinding, and pulverizing...
Segmenting oranges: one of Amanda's pet peeves, but one of Merrill's favorite kitchen activities. See, guys: we're not the same person!
Our blood oranges had amazing color variations.
Make sure not toss the membranes after you remove the segments -- you'll need the juice.
As we noted, trying to oil a non-stick pan is a little like chasing your own tail.
Amanda packs in a neat layer of feta and ricotta, garnishing it with fresh mint, followed by a drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of sea salt.
Two more layers go into the mini loaf pan.
Mrslarkin recommends buckwheat honey for the blood oranges, but if you prefer something a little less aggressive, wildflower honey would be nice too. We only used 2 T of the buckwheat honey...
After a brief sojourn into the fridge, we attempt to unmold the cheese. Rather, Amanda attempts, while Merrill spectates.
It took a few firm raps, but it soon plopped out -- whole and beautiful.
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Author Notes: I love the sweetness and tanginess of these ingredients. Sometimes, if I’m really impatient, I’ll skip the ricotta and the loaf pan, chunk the feta and mix it with torn mint and the honeyed oranges, and serve it in small bowls. It’s almost a dessert. Or a great cheese course for sweet dessert eaters like me. My recipe is adapted from Ricotta and Caprino Layered with Fresh Basil Leaves, from the cookbook My Italian Garden by Viana La Place. - mrslarkin
Food52 Review: What we love about mrslarkin’s recipe is that it takes three grab bag ingredients (feta, blood oranges and mint) and combines in a thoughtful way, elevating the whole to much more than the sum of its parts. A scoop of ricotta tames the feta’s brininess, and the honey (mrslarkin recommends buckwheat, but you can use whatever you like) coaxes maximum sweetness from the blood oranges, smoothing out its tart edges. A few fragrant mint leaves, peeking delicately out the sides of the slab of cheese, lend a certain sophistication. Brought together in this way, these apparently disparate elements make for a great hors d’oeuvre, or a playful dessert and cheese course all in one. - A&M - A&M
Serves 3 or more
- 4 ounces feta
- 4 ounces ricotta
- large bunch of fresh mint leaves
- olive oil
- sea salt
- 4 tablespoons buckwheat honey
- 2 blood oranges, segmented and chopped, membranes reserved
- In a shallow bowl or dish, mash the feta with the back of a fork. Add the ricotta and stir together very well.
- Lightly oil a 3” x 6” mini loaf pan with olive oil.
- Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture into the bottom of the pan. Cover with a single layer of mint leaves, and gently press them into the cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Continue with another layer of cheese, followed by a layer of mint leaves, drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt. Spread the last layer of cheese on top, another drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Place a piece of plastic wrap on the top layer of cheese to keep it moist.
- Combine the honey and chopped orange segments in a bowl. Squeeze the juice from the reserved membrane onto the segments. Stir together gently.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese. Invert the mini loaf pan onto a serving dish. Spoon the honeyed oranges over top.
- Garnish with additional fresh mint leaves. Serve with pita chips, pita bread wedges, or crostini.
- Your Best Dish with Blood Oranges, Feta and Mint Contest Finalist!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Fresh Ricotta
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Open House Dish
Tags: Appetizers, cheese, Desserts, savory, sweet
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2 months ago Ceege
Is this considered a dessert?
2 months ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
it can be either a savory dessert or as part of a cheese course.
over 2 years ago gingerroot
This sounds amazing. YUM!
over 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks!! I could eat this whole thing myself.
about 3 years ago arielleclementine
this is perfectly lovely, mrslarkin! i'll be trying it soon!
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks so much, arielleclementine! Hope you like it!
about 3 years ago Helenthenanny
This is so lovely mrslarkin, congrats! So glad to be a finalist with you!!
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you, Helen!! Not sure what my chances are, up against your fantastic fro-yo. But honored to be up there with you!
about 3 years ago lastnightsdinner
If I wasn't allergic to oranges, I'd make this today. What a lovely presentation and a clever way to combine these ingredients!
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, LND! Sorry about your orange allergy! I bet it might work with a different topping, like a mint pesto, or a chutney, or something.
about 3 years ago monkeymom
mrslarkin, I guess this is the upside to the broken oven! Congrats on being a finalist. This looks beautiful.
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you, monkeymom! Yes, this has pulled me out of my oven-deprived depression...
about 3 years ago Furey and the Feast
I agree with Naked Beet, this is a beautiful presentation and would be perfect for a dinner party. And the buckwheat honey idea is awesome!
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, Furey! So glad you like it.
about 3 years ago NakedBeet
A great show off food for dinner parties. I love that you combine feta and ricotta and buckwheat honey is one of my favorites.
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you, NB! I love all honey, but buckwheat sure is a fav of mine too.
about 3 years ago Allison Cay Parker
Congratulations on being selected as a finalist. This really sounds great, and I'll definitely be making it. No idea how I'll ever choose between the two recipes this week. Maybe I'll figure out how to hack the system and vote twice? (No, A&M, I'm kidding, I'd never do that!). Good luck and congrats again.
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks so much, FTSACP! I hope you like it!!
about 3 years ago Lizthechef
Sounds quite tasty - wish there was a photo because I'll bet it's pretty too...Love the combo of ricotta with the feta.
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, Liz. Here's the photo! (I ran out of blood oranges. Shown in the pic are Cara Cara oranges. Still very tasty!)