Chocolate Ricotta Pudding With Strawberry Sauce Food

JUSTIN'S FAVORITE PUDDING WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium-sized bowl, beat together egg yolks and cornstarch. Set aside. In a large saucepan bring the cream, sugar and vanilla bean and seeds to a boil over medium-low heat. Add the white chocolate chips, then reduce the heat to low. Temper the egg yolks with a little of the cream mixture, then pour the egg yolks back into the cream. Simmer until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the pudding into 6 (6-ounce) ramekins. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Add the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Strain the mixture with a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Top the puddings with the coulis and garnish with whipped cream and fresh strawberries before serving.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA PUDDING

Steps:

• This is a serious childhood throwback for me. I have a memory of my mother taking this out of the oven and I could smell the chocolate and the almonds more than anything else. So delicious.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Use the butter to thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of a 1 quart loaf pan.
• Add the 2 whole eggs to a small pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat. When the water boils, lower the heat to a simmer and cook the eggs for 6 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pot and run them under cold water to stop them from overcooking.
• In a medium bowl add the ricotta and whisk until free of lumps. Add the sugar, rum, chocolate and almonds and stir to blend. Set aside.
• Peel the hard-boiled eggs and put the yolks through a small strainer to break them into small bits. Add the egg yolks to the ricotta mixture.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the 2 egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gently fold the egg whites into the ricotta mixture with a rubber spatula, retaining as much fluffiness as possible. Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan. Put the pan into a shallow water bath and bake, undisturbed, for 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and the water bath. Allow to cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with a touch of lemon zest and some chocolate over each individual portion.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA PUDDING

Steps:

• To make the sauce: Blend the strawberries and sugar in a food processor until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer. Cover and refrigerate. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Keep refrigerated.).
• To make the pudding: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Lightly butter 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Arrange the cups in a large roasting pan. Melt the chocolate in a medium bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Set the melted chocolate aside. Blend the ricotta, 1/4 cup of sugar, egg yolks, orange zest, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor until very smooth. Blend in the melted chocolate. Transfer the ricotta mixture to a large bowl.
• Using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites in another large bowl with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar. Continue beating until semi-firm peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the ricotta mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cups. Fill the pan with enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the custard cups. Bake until the pudding puffs slightly but the centers are still creamy, about 25 minutes (the pudding will become thick and creamy when cold). Allow puddings to cool slightly before removing from water bath. Remove the custard cups from the bath. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours.
• Run a knife around the sides of the puddings to loosen. Invert the puddings onto plates. Drizzle the strawberry sauce around the puddings and serve.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA PUDDING

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, heat semisweet chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
• In a food processor, process 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese until smooth. Add chocolate; process until combined, scraping bowl as needed.
• Divide among four dishes. (Can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day; serve at room temperature.)

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA PUDDING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water (or in the microwave).
• While the chocolate is melting, put the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat at high speed till the mixture is pale yellow and forms soft ribbons.
• When the chocolate is melted, add the heavy cream and stir till completely blended.
• Pour the chocolate into the egg mixture and mix well.
• Add the ricotta and mix again till completely blended.
• Divide the mixture among 6 individual serving bowls or goblets.
• Refrigerate overnight before serving.
• Top with whipped cream if desired.