Tomato, yarrow and ricotta
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When ingredients are at their peak, simplicity is key – something this beautiful starter from chef Will Devlin proves effortlessly. Slices of tomato are paired with salami and a homemade, fennel-infused ricotta, with the fronds and flowers of the yarrow plant lending an aniseed-like top note. If you can't find yarrow then tarragon makes an excellent substitute, but it's certainly worth taking the time to make your own ricotta – far superior to anything you can buy ready-made.
Image by Food Story Media.
Ingredients
- 4 heritage tomatoes , or 6 if they're small, ideally in a variety of sizes and colours
- 16 slices of bresaola, or fennel salami
- flaky sea salt
- yarrow fronds and flowers, or tarragon leaves and/or fennel fronds, to serve
Ricotta
Method
1
To make the ricotta, place the milk and fennel in a pan and heat until 80°C. Remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 20 minutes
2
Strain the milk through a fine sieve into a clean pan (discarding the fennel) and gently reheat until warm
3
Add the vinegar to the milk and stir until the solids and whey separate
4
Drain the solids (reserving the whey for another use – it’s great in bread, marinades, to make yoghurt or used in fermenting) and season them with a teaspoon of salt. Transfer the solids to a muslin cloth and hang for at least 30 minutes in the fridge (or overnight for a firmer texture)
5
To serve, transfer the ricotta to a piping bag. Slice the tomatoes and arrange slices of them – along with the salami – on each plate. Pipe or spoon the ricotta on top, then garnish with yarrow (or tarragon or fennel) and a pinch of sea salt
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Tomato, yarrow and ricotta
