Here, mushrooms, radicchio, and fregola are tossed together in almost equal proportions, and then piled atop whipped ricotta. The resulting dish is bold in flavor, texture, and color (necessary attributes for a salad that’s getting piled on a bed of cheese). Because the cheese is on the bottom, the salad components aren’t weighted down; they look pretty (tossing salads with soft cheese can get messy); and, best of all, every bite includes creamy ricotta. <br /> <br />It’s terrific in the winter months, plus it’s sturdy enough to enjoy for dinner and keep for lunch the next day. Tip: Spread whipped ricotta on the bottom of a storage container and pile salad on top; presentation is important for desk lunches, too! If you can’t find fregola, a kind of toasted Sardinian couscous, then pearl (Israeli) couscous can be substituted with equally tasty results. <br />

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