Cherries In Port Over Ricotta Food

POACHED CHERRIES WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place cherries in a large, shallow, heat-proof bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine wine, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, basil, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Pour hot liquid over cherries. Set aside until mixture is room temperature and cherries are slightly soft, about 1 hour.
• Drain cherries, reserving the poaching liquid. Discard basil, vanilla bean, and lemon zest. Return cherries to large bowl. Place reserved poaching liquid in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; continue to boil until liquid has reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Pour hot liquid over cherries. Chill for a minimum of 1 hour or overnight. Serve in shallow bowls, topped with a spoonful of ricotta.

HONEY RICOTTA WITH CHERRIES

Steps:

• Whole wheat crackers, for serving
• Combine the cheese, cherries, sour cream and honey in a bowl. Fold the ingredients together so as not to discolor the ricotta from the cherries. Season with salt.
• Place the mixture in a serving container and top with the chopped almonds. Serve with whole wheat crackers.

CHERRY RICOTTA TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, fold together the ricotta, confectioners' sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Cut the 16 phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 1/2-inch-wide strips. Cover with a barely damp towel while you work.
• Set a strip on a work surface, with the long side facing you, and brush the entire strip with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar, then top with another strip.
• Brush the top with butter. Top with 1 tablespoon of the ricotta filling and 1 tablespoon of the cherries in the center about 1 inch from the left-side end. Gently pull the top left corner down, over the filling, to meet the bottom edge and form a triangle. Butter the top of the triangle.
• Now, gently grab the bottom left corner and lift it up to meet the top edge and wrap the triangle one more time.
• Brush the top with butter. Continue to fold the corners, as you would fold a flag, buttering every dry surface, until the sheet is completely folded into a large triangle. Transfer to 1 of the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining phyllo, butter, sugar and filling.
• Sprinkle the turnovers with granulated sugar. With a sharp paring knife, cut a small slit in the top of each turnover, taking care not to pierce through to the other side. Bake until puffed and deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with honey to serve, if you like.

CHERRIES WITH CHOCOLATE IN RICOTTA

Steps:

• Whip ricotta with kirsch and powdered sugar to lighten. Fold in chocolate and cherries. Add more kirsch and sugar if needed. (If time allows, chill at least 15 minutes.) Divide among 4 shallow serving bowls. Dust lightly with cocoa, and garnish with almonds.