According to Silva Malaguzzi in Food and Feasting in Art, this work of art was commissioned by the Accademia della Crusca. It was tradition for each academician “to choose a nickname associated with flour.” The motto translates to “I am not enough by myself,” an allusion to the fact that ricotta “is a humble cheese with little flavor and therefore needs to be eaten with bread.” Like the other examples of flour bolters commissioned by the Accademia, the composition is starkly simple, with the focus on the single subject and motto. Malaguzzi notes that “the custom of bread-related nicknames was established…to express their antischolastic bent and partly because the plainness and purity of bread…mirrored the qualities that inspired the academicians’ language studies.”
Ricotta, Prosciutto & Walnut Salad with Cranberry Balsamic Dressing
200 g fresh ricotta
rocket, washed and dried
100 g walnuts
100 g prosciutto, torn into strips
Cranberry Balsamic dressing (recipe below)
In a pan, toast the walnuts for a couple of minutes until they become fragrant. Wash and dry the rocket and place in large mixing bowl. Carefully break the ricotta over the rocket and tear the prosciutto into strips. Add the toasted walnuts before tossing with the Cranberry Balsamic dressing. Serve immediately.
Cranberry Balsamic Dressing
3 TB olive oil
3 tsp Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp pink peppercorns, ground
2 tsp dried cranberries, minced
Mix all of the ingredients in a small jar. Keep refrigerated when not using.
16 comments
Rosa says:
Apr 16, 2010
A refined salad! Mouthwatering!
Cheers,
Rosa
Heavenly Housewife says:
Apr 16, 2010
What an elegant dish, absolutely lovely!
*kisses* HH
Julie says:
Apr 16, 2010
Yum! All of my favorites!
Ciaochowlinda says:
Apr 16, 2010
I love reading your blog – maybe because I also love that book “Food and Feasting on Art.” It’s on my list of “Books for Foodies” that I recently posted.
Jessica says:
Apr 16, 2010
This sounds so good! I just got some organic pink peppercorns from Sustainable Sourcing https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com and I think I’ll try it out in this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Florentine Ricotta, Prosciutto & Walnut Salad with Cranberry … | Artist News says:
Apr 16, 2010
[…] Go here to see the original: Florentine Ricotta, Prosciutto & Walnut Salad with Cranberry … […]
Joanne says:
Apr 16, 2010
This salad looks absolutely divine! I love the pairing of cranberry with it. The perfect combination for ricotta cheese.
Y says:
Apr 16, 2010
Cranberry balsamic dressing sounds so good!
OohLookBel says:
Apr 16, 2010
I love this type of salad – ricotta and prosciutto especially go together. The cranberry dressing sounds special, too.
Krista says:
Apr 17, 2010
How lovely, Megan! :-) I just found your site a few days ago and am enjoying it so very much. :-)
deana says:
Apr 17, 2010
Spectacular painting… your selections make me want to pick up a brush and start making still lifes! I enjoy your stark black an white anchored photos… it pulls the ingredients to the foreground… well done!!!
Cherine says:
Apr 20, 2010
this salad looks great!
Sophie says:
Apr 23, 2010
What a tasty & superb looking salad!! I so love your apart balsamic & cranberry dressing!
Oooh yummm,…!!!!
liz@zested says:
May 7, 2010
This looks like a classic. I’m kind of amazed your stuff from a year ago is still just as good – I had no idea what I was doing with a camera when I started!
Zachary Evans says:
Jun 11, 2010
My favorite kind of Salad is none other Potato Salad. it really taste yummy.~:”
Murk says:
Sep 29, 2010
I always inspired by you, your thoughts and attitude, again, appreciate for this nice post.
– Murk