Almond Ricotta Pudding With Rhubarb And Blueberry Compote Food

RHUBARB AND RICOTTA BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING

Steps:

• Trim the rhubarb and cut it into 3cm pieces. Heat 100ml water in a pan with 50g of the sugar. Bring to the boil and add the rhubarb. Simmer for 11/2 mins, then carefully lift the rhubarb out with a slotted spoon. Arrange it on a plate or tray so that it can lie in a single layer (if you keep the pieces too close to each other, they'll continue to cook and soften - you want them to stay intact).
• Put the milk and cream in a heavy-bottomed pan, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil, then add the vanilla. Beat the eggs, extra yolk and the rest of the sugar together in a bowl. Pour the warm milk and cream onto this, stirring all the time. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Butter the bread. Drain the ricotta (if there is any liquid on top), then add the icing sugar to it. Spread the buttered bread thickly with ricotta. Sprinkle the citrus zest on top, then layer these slices with the rhubarb in a 20 x 30cm ovenproof dish. Pour the egg and cream mixture through a sieve and leave to sit for 30 mins (this makes the pudding lighter).
• Put the dish in a roasting tin. Add enough boiling water to the tin to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 40-45 mins or until puffy and set on the top, and golden in colour. Leave to cool for about 10 mins (the pudding will continue to cook and 'set' during this time). Dust with icing sugar and serve with crème fraîche, or cream mixed with Greek yogurt.

RICOTTA ALMOND PUDDING

Steps:

• For The Syrup: In a small saucepan mix 3/4 cup of sugar with 6 tablespoons of water.
• Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
• Add two tablespoons of Amaretto liqueur, and cool until ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat together all of the pudding ingredients until light and fluffy.
• Spray with an oil spray (Pam) or lightly butter 4 ramekin dishes.
• Divide the pudding batter into the four dishes and then bake for about 30 minutes or until the puddings are lightly browned and a fork inserted comes out clean.
• Allow to cool.
• If serving warm, carefully remove from the dishes after running a knife around the edges first.
• If you prefer the puddings cold, refrigerate in the dishes until you are ready to serve.
• To serve, place a pudding upside down onto a plate, drizzle on a little syrup, and then garnish with the fresh fruit and toasted almonds,

LEMON AND ALMOND RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a heavy, medium saucepan, combine the milk, rice, sugar, vanilla seeds, vanilla pod, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 35 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix together the lemon juice, amaretto, and lemon zest. Slowly stir the lemon mixture into the rice mixture and cook for 10 minutes longer. Remove the vanilla pod and discard. Stir in the whipping cream (mixture will still be runny but will thicken as it cools). Spoon the rice pudding into bowls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• Sprinkle the chilled rice pudding with sliced almonds and serve.

FRESH RICOTTA WITH RHUBARB, GINGER AND CARDAMOM

Steps:

• Put sugar, ginger, cardamom and 1 cup water in a nonreactive saucepan or skillet, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn heat to low and let syrup simmer for 5 minutes. Do not strain.
• Add rhubarb and stir to incorporate syrup, then continue to simmer for another 5 minutes or so. Set aside and let cool. (The rhubarb syrup can be made a day or two in advance, and becomes more intense.)
• Serve a large spoonful or wedge of ricotta on a small plate. Spoon at least 2 tablespoons of rhubarb sauce over the cheese. Garnish with pine nuts or pistachio, if using.

RHUBARB AND BLUEBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine rhubarb, sugar, blueberries, vanilla extract, and cinnamon stick in a pot. Add enough water to barely cover the rhubarb. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is soft and broken down, 30 to 40 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick.
• Cool compote in the refrigerator until thickened, about 30 minutes.