Best Ricotta With Vanilla Sugar Croutons And Berry Syrup Recipes

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FRESH BERRIES & SWEET RICOTTA



Fresh Berries & Sweet Ricotta image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Homemade Ricotta (recipe follows)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons liquid honey
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved or sliced, depending on size (see Cook's Note)
2 (6-ounce) packages fresh raspberries
2 (6-ounce) packages fresh blueberries
Fresh Raspberry Sauce (recipe follows)
Grated lemon zest, for serving
4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons good white wine vinegar
1 (6-ounce) package fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (12 ounces) seedless raspberry jam, such as Tiptree (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon framboise liqueur

Steps:

  • Place the Homemade Ricotta in a medium bowl and stir in the sugar, honey, and vanilla. Set aside at room temperature for up to 2 hours. In another bowl, combine the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
  • When ready to serve, divide the berries among 6 bowls. With an ice cream scoop, place a large dollop of the ricotta in each bowl and drizzle with lots of the Fresh Raspberry Sauce. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and serve.
  • Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
  • Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
  • Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  • The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.
  • Place the raspberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and the framboise into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until smooth. Pour into a container and chill. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.

RICOTTA WITH VANILLA-SUGAR CROUTONS AND BERRY SYRUP



Ricotta with Vanilla-Sugar Croutons and Berry Syrup image

When I was little my grandfather used to spread fresh ricotta on a slice of bread for me and top it with a thick layer of sugar. I loved it then and I still love these flavors together. This is a somewhat healthier version of that childhood treat. The bread now plays a starring rather than supporting role in the form of sweet, crunchy croutons paired with ripe berries and creamy cheese-sooo good. Serve it for breakfast if you are feeling decadent.

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 ciabatta loaf (4 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes (4 cups)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tablespoons Vanilla Sugar (recipe follows)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 medium orange)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup blueberries
8 strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 teaspoons grated orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1 tablespoon Vanilla Sugar (recipe follows)
Fresh mint sprigs or leaves, for garnish
2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean
(makes 2 cups)

Steps:

  • For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the bread cubes and melted butter. Add the vanilla sugar and toss to coat. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely.
  • For the berry syrup: In a small stainless-steel saucepan, bring the orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the blueberries and strawberries and simmer until the fruit softens, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool the syrup to room temperature.
  • For the ricotta: Combine the ricotta, orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla sugar in a medium bowl. Mix well.
  • To serve, divide the ricotta mixture among 4 decorative dessert bowls. Spoon the berry syrup over the ricotta and top with the croutons. Garnish with the mint sprigs or leaves.
  • Pour the sugar into the bowl of a food processor. Using a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean in half, lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds to the sugar. Pulse 10 to 15 times, until the vanilla and sugar are combined. Put the empty vanilla pod into a glass Mason jar. Add the vanilla sugar to the jar and seal. The sugar will keep for at least 3 months. Shake the jar before using.

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