Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce

February 18, 2015

Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce




If you read this blog often, you obviously are smart, have a great sense of humor, AND you know my obsession with cooking everything from scratch.
You probably also know that I like simple and quick recipes — because you and I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen on weeknights.
Even more so when it’s freezing outside (btw, why does it have to be this cold people?) and all we want to do is crawl on the sofa, wrap ourselves in the warmest, softest of blankets and read a good book.

Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce





Talking about books, I just finished reading “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins and I can’t recommend it enough.
A psychological thriller that will force you to turn the pages and go on, non-stop.
I don't want to tell you anything about it because I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you’re looking for a good read, look no further.
Anyways, back to the recipes.
As mentioned, I like quick and simple recipes that taste spectacular, and that are also fun to make and eat. “Uncomplicated and tasty”, that’s my motto.
Then there are those recipes that I like to label as “Convivial Recipes”, because they’re the best when you have a get together at your home.
This Thai Pork and Zoodle Salad is a great example: served on a large platter so that guests can customize their meal.
The same goes for a wholesome eggplant gratin, a eggplant parm quinoa bake, or a caramelized cauliflower and mushroom casserole.
Lately, I’ve fallen in love with these ricotta fritters served in a toothsome marinara sauce. The perfect quick recipe to make when entertaining friends.

Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce




If you haven’t made ricotta fritters before, you’ll be surprised by how easy they are.
Just few ingredients mixed together and you’ve got yourself a fantastic batter.
Cooking them might take a bit of practice at first. Just like making crepes or pancakes.
But once you got the hang of it, you’ll be flipping the fritters like a charm.
At first I thought they would dematerialize once dunked in the marinara sauce. But no, these fritters are tougher than they look.
And it’s super cool that you can just bring the big pan to the table and everybody can just help themselves.
Mmmmm fritters. I guarantee, this is so delish, and you'll get raves with every bite.

Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce


Simple Ricotta Fritters with Marinara Sauce                                                              Print this recipe!
Adapted from Jamie Oliver

Ingredients
Serves 4

Fritters

1 large egg
2 cups / 14.1 oz / 400 gr ricotta cheese
Zest of 1 lemon
½ cup / 1.4 oz / 40 gr grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon almond flour*
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon baking powder

* alternatively you can use gluten-free flour (or whole wheat flour)

Marinara Sauce

1 (28 oz / 800 gr) can whole peeled tomatoes (I used Muir Glen)
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves,
1 small dried whole chile, or a pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 large fresh basil sprig
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Chopped fresh basil
Kalamata olives
Lemon wedges

Directions

Crack the egg into a large bowl, add ricotta, ground nutmeg, lemon zest, baking powder, grated Parmesan, and almond flour. Mix until well combined.
Heat a nonstick frying pan over low heat and grease it with oil.
To make fritters, drop 2 heaping tablespoons of ricotta mixture and gently spread it a bit with the back of the spoon, cover with a lid and cook for about 2 minutes until nice and golden.
With the help of a large spatula gently flip the fritter and cook covered for 2 minutes on the other side. Transfer to a plate to cool.
I recommend making 2 - 3 fritters at a time maximum. They tend to break quite easily as they cook so you need to be extremely careful when flipping them and it’s better to have only a few to watch.
To make the marinara, pour tomatoes (including the juice) into a large bowl and crush with your hands.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it is hot, add garlic. As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes with the juice, whole chile or red pepper flakes (if using) and salt. Stir.
Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce.
Simmer sauce until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Discard basil and chile (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning.
To serve, place ricotta fritters on top of the sauce, then scatter with chopped fresh basil (or parsley), kalamata olives, and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 410 calories, 30 grams of fat, 14 grams of carbs, and 22 grams of protein.

25 comments:

  1. I adore Jamie Oliver - he is one of my all time favorite chef's - and I saw this on his site - love your sub of almond flour for plain flour in these fritters, Milke!

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  2. The fritters alone sound fantastic, but with the marinara or a pesto schmear, man! These look most tasty. #WolfpackEats!

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  3. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the recommendation!

    These look fantastic. Can't wait to try them. So glad to have found your lovely blog :-)

    Hannah
    www.eatingwithalice.com

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  4. I've never heard of ricotta fritters before, but they look and sound A-MAZING! P.S., I made your recipe for slow cooker chicken tikka masala last night and it was YUMMY. Thanks!

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    1. That's awesome Jess, I'm so glad you like the Tikka. These fritters are just as good!

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  5. OH Jamie Oliver. How you lie. My mate bought Jamie's 15 minute meals cook book. We made ONE dish. 2 hours later, we sat down to eat.

    Ricotta fritters are a brunch staple here but they never look that good- I'll need to give it a go! Loving those olives stickin' out :D

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    1. I have to agree most of the 15-minute recipes are a total bust but some are pretty legit.

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  6. Hi Mike, these fritters look delicious, love that you served them with marinara.

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  7. Never would have thought to serve ricotta fritters in a delicious marinara sauce before. What a great idea - this looks so flavoursome and hearty Mike!

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  8. The Girl on the Train, huh? Thanks for the recommendation! I'm always looking for a good book. I just started in on the Game of Thrones series, but I'm totally going to pick up a copy of The Girl on the Train. Just because I trust you. (Plus, you said I have a good sense of humor.) I also have a good sense of delicious food, and these fritters are sending my food-dar (see what I did there? food + radar = food-dar) off the charts. I'm loving how easy this meal is...perfect for a night when you curl up by the fire with a good book! #WolfpackEats

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    1. You, my friend, have a great sense of humor, I mean, that food-dar joke...hysterical :/
      BTW you should totally trust me on 'The Girl of the Train" it's such a good book!
      #LiteraryWolfExpert

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  9. I've never seen anything quite like this, but it looks delicious! Come on, anything with cheese and a marinara sauce together is pretty blissful. :-) I had to giggle and nod my head at your opening line, because, why yes, I AM all those things, lol. Just kidding, but what a great way to get a reader's attention.

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  10. I don't have a single of Jamie's cookbooks - but I am not going to cave quite yet, I am almost at my personal record for resisting cookbooks in the new year... ;-)

    nice fritters, I am surprised that they are so sturdy, like you, I would think they would perhaps disintegrate in the sauce. Now you made me hungry. (sigh)

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  11. That's a simple and awesome looking recipe. As usual you have the easiest and yummiest.
    Hey, I'm going to pick up the book asap,if you recommend it, I'm sure it's good...no pressure;).
    I did read Gone Girl a few months back..quite intense.

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  12. I'm not sure it was very quick (1,5h later. Although, I've never made ricotta fritters before. Or any fritters. I'm not even sure how to translate fritters to swedish!?) but it was delicious!

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    1. 1:30???? That's a lot of time, at least it was worth it! :D

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  13. Simple but so delicious!

    http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr

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  14. I want those - but I cannot have those. I want to make something like it right now. I am hungry. LOL! Random thoughts in the brain because I haven't really eaten all day!

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    1. Go eat something GiGi today is not the right day for fasting!

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  15. Could you make the sauce ahead say the night before? I have a tendency to take longer than average to cook and it would definitely cause less stress if I could have the sauce done ahead of time. I also have leftover tonight so this would be a good time!

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