PASTIERA WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

Pastiera with Strawberry Sauce image

Yield Makes one 8-inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 quart whole milk
3/4 cup arborio rice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Unsalted butter, for the pan
All-purpose flour, for the pan
3 pounds fresh ricotta cheese, drained 3 hours or, preferably, overnight
3 whole large eggs plus 3 large yolks, lightly beaten
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Strawberry Sauce (recipe follows)
Strawberry Sauce
1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
(makes 1 1/2 cups)

Steps:

Bring the milk to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla bean. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the rice is very tender and has absorbed all the liquid, about 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Cover; let cool, stirring occasionally. Discard the vanilla bean.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, combine the rice mixture, ricotta, whole eggs and egg yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until golden on top and almost set in the center, 65 to 70 minutes; cover with foil if starting to brown too much. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack.
When the cake has completely cooled, run a knife around the edge to loosen. Gently remove the ring; transfer the cake to a serving platter. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve with sauce.
Strawberry Sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a medium nonreactive saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries are soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
About Pastiera
Pastiera, a traditional Neopolitan Easter "pie," is actually a type of cheesecake. Though no two recipes are alike, all contain ricotta cheese and a sweetened grain (usually rice or wheat berries), symbolizing spring's fertility.