From holiday dinners to first-day-of-school breakfasts — and all the little moments in between — we’re proud to be a part of your family traditions. Try Neese’s and you’ll see why we’ve been the sausage of choice for more than a century.
Yield: 4 servings.
¾ cup ricotta
¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated, plus more for garnish
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
A pinch of nutmeg
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces Neese’s Hickory Smoked Bacon, diced (about 5 pieces)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sliced rustic bread, grilled or toasted in the oven
In a medium bowl, stir ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg until smooth. Set aside.
Cook bacon in a large sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, render the bacon, stirring with a wooden spoon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon, leaving the fat in the pan. Let cooked bacon drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
In the same pan, melt butter. Add tomatoes and stir as the skins blister. Once softened, add garlic and sauté, stirring until the edges become slightly browned. Pour in balsamic vinegar and then turn off the heat. Add the bacon back into the pan.
Spoon the ricotta mixture onto a platter or large plate. Spread with the back of a large spoon to cover the dish. Top with the tomatoes and bacon. Spoon the juices from the pan over top. Sprinkle additional Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve with grilled or toasted bread.
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