Italian Ricotta Chocolate Tart Food

ITALIAN RICOTTA CHOCOLATE TART RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut ½ cup of cold unsalted butter into 18 small pieces and place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
• In a food processor combine the dry ingredients and pulse a few times.
• Add the cut-up butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse ground meal.
• Add the slightly beaten eggs and the vanilla extract and pulse until the dough comes together.
• Turn out the dough on a lightly floured wooden board and form it into a smooth disc by pressing the dough together.
• Shape the dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimal 30 minutes before using it.
• Break (or chop) both the dark and semi-sweet chocolate into little pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl.
• Bring a pot of water to a simmer.
• Set bowl of chocolate over a pot of water. Ensure water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.
• When the chocolate is almost completely melted, remove it from heat and stir to finish melting.
• Set aside to cool completely.
• In a large mixing bowl (of a stand mixer) beat the ricotta and orange zest at low speed with the paddle attachment until smooth (about 2 minutes). Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Gradually add the sugar, whipping cream, rum and melted and cooled chocolate. Combine this whole mixture together. Set aside while we roll out the pastry dough.
• Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C.
• Prepare a 9-inch tart pan by buttering and flouring, or use non-stick spray and set aside.
• Cut off one-third of the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it. We will be using this dough to create the strips for the lattice top.
• Place two-thirds of the dough on a sheet of lightly floured parchment paper. Roll out the dough into a circle that is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the tart pan, about ⅜- ¼ inch (approx. ½ cm) thick.
• Transfer the dough to the pan, and gently press it into the sides and bottom. Trim the excess overhang of dough with a knife. Place it in the refrigerator.
• Lightly flour the same sheet of parchment paper. Use the rolling pin to roll out the reserved one-third dough in a 9-10 inch circle. Using a pastry cutter, cut into 10 (¾-inch) strips. Place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pasta frolla tart shell from the refrigerator and spoon in the chocolate ricotta filling.
• Spread the filling evenly over the base of the crust with the help of an offset spatula.
• To create a lattice top, remove the pastry strips from the refrigerator and brush each strip with egg wash. Brush the rim of the dough in the tart pan as well.
• Place five strips of dough first in one direction, then in the other. Remove any excess dough with a knife. Refer to the photo in the article for more details.
• Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the center filling is set.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Optional: Dust with icing sugar and/or serve with sweet ricotta.

CHOCOLATE-RICOTTA PIE

Steps:

• Blend the flour, cornmeal, 3/4 cup pine nuts, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse, just until the dough forms. Press the dough over the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of an 11-inch-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom. Refrigerate until the dough is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line the tart dough with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the tart shell in the lower third of the oven until just set, about 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and pie weights. Bake the shell until golden, about 10 minutes longer. Cool completely.
• Combine the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool the sugar syrup slightly.
• In a double boiler, melt the chocolate over very softly simmering water.
• Pulse the ricotta cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolks, 1 at a time, and process until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and process until combined. With the machine running, add the sugar syrup in a thin steady stream and process until smooth.
• Pour the custard into the tart shell and bake until the filling is almost set, about 30 minutes or until the custard has set. Scatter the remaining 3/4 cup toasted pine nuts on top of the filling. Let the tart cool completely before serving.
• The tart can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Return the tart to room temperature before serving.

ITALIAN CHOCOLATE AND RICOTTA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Whisk ricotta cheese and sugar together in a large bowl. Whisk in eggs one at a time until well combined.
• Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl; sift into ricotta mixture. Mix until batter is well combined and no dry spots remain. Add chopped chocolate, melted butter, and vanilla extract; stir until batter is smooth. Spoon batter into prepared cake pan (batter will be very thick).
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before serving.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE RICOTTA PIE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, chocolate chips, sugar, orange zest and, if desired, orange liqueur., On a floured surface, roll out half the dough to fit a 9-in. pie plate; transfer to pie plate. Fill with ricotta mixture., Roll out remaining dough into an 11-in. circle; cut into 1-in.-wide strips. Lay half of the strips across the pie, about 1 in. apart. Fold back every other strip halfway. Lay another strip across center of pie at a right angle. Unfold strips over center strip. Fold back the alternate strips; place a second strip across the pie. Continue to add strips until pie is covered with lattice. Trim, seal and flute edges., Bake at 425° until crust is golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Refrigerate leftovers.

RICOTTA TART: TORTA DI RICOTTA

Steps:

• For the pasta frolla: Combine sugar, butter, egg, milk, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Fold in the flour but do not over mix; make sure that the mixture remains cool and does not become pasty. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes, or until firm.
• For the Ricotta Filling: Place the ricotta in a large bowl stir in the sugar, then the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla being careful not to over mix.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut off 1/2 of the pasta frolla and reserve. Roll 1/2 of the dough into a 14-inch disc and line a 9-inch cake pan with it. Allow the dough to hang over the edge of the pan. Roll out the reserved dough into a 10-inch circle. Reserve. Pour the ricotta filling into the crust base. Lay the reserved 10-inch circle of dough on the top of the filling. Trim the excess so there is a 1/2 to 3/4-inch overhang. Take the flap of dough left on the edge of the ring and roll it on itself so that it rests completely within the pan.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg with a pinch of salt and a few drops of water to make an egg wash. Brush the surface of the torta with the beaten egg mixture. Place the torta in the lower third of the oven and bake for about 45 minutes until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Blend the flour, cornmeal, 3/4 cup pine nuts, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse, just until the dough forms. Press the dough over the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of an 11-inch-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom. Refrigerate until the dough is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line the tart dough with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the tart shell in the lower third of the oven until just set, about 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and pie weights. Bake the shell until golden, about 10 minutes longer. Cool completely.
• Combine the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool the sugar syrup slightly.
• In a double boiler, melt the chocolate over very softly simmering water.
• Pulse the ricotta cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolks, 1 at a time, and process until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and process until combined. With the machine running, add the sugar syrup in a thin steady stream and process until smooth.
• Pour the custard into the tart shell and bake until the filling is almost set, about 30 minutes or until the custard has set. Scatter the remaining 3/4 cup toasted pine nuts on top of the filling. Let the tart cool completely before serving.
• The tart can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Return the tart to room temperature before serving.

RICOTTA PIE (PIZZA DOLCE) WITH CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY

Steps:

• Place the flour in a large bowl; cut in the butter until crumbly. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and water; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one portion is slightly larger than the other. Wrap smaller portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate., Divide the remaining dough into six portions. Roll out each portion to fit a 5-in. pie plate; transfer pastry to pie plates. Set aside., Press raspberries through a sieve; discard seeds. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in raspberry puree. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Spread over the bottom of each crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips., In a large bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, flour and vanilla until blended. In a small bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Fold into ricotta mixture. Spread into pastry shells., Roll out remaining pastry; make lattice crusts. Trim, seal and flute edges. Whisk egg white; brush over lattice tops. Sprinkle with coarse sugar., Transfer pies to a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is set. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate until serving.

RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• ---------Tomake the filling--------.
• In a saucepan (stainless steel) whisk two eggs and 1/4 cup sugar until well blended.
• Add the flour a little at a time.
• Gradually add the milk and whisk well.
• Place sauce pan over medium heat and whisk constantly for about 6 minutes or until thickened enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
• Place the filling aside covered with a sheet of buttered wax paper.
• In another bowl beat the Riccota with the remaining sugar and egg yolk until very smooth.
• Fold in the Lemon zest.
• Add the cooled filling blend well and set aside.
• ------Doughcrust----------.
• In a food processor, combine the flour and cornstarch.
• Add the remaining dough ingredients and mix until a soft ball begins to form.
• Knead the dough for a short time on a floured surface and divide in two.
• Wrap one half of the dough securely and freeze it for future use.
• Lightly grease an 11-inch tart pan with removable sides.
• Roll out one half and place in the prepared tart pan.
• Pour the filling into the pie shell and smooth the top.
• Bake in 375F degrees oven for 45-50 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
• Remove tart to cooling rack.
• Remove sides from pan.
• Cut into wedges to serve.

PASTIERA DI PASQUA (ITALIAN EASTER TART WITH RICOTTA)

Steps:

• Bring wheat grains, milk, butter, and 1/2 of the lemon zest to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 11-inch tart pan.
• Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, orange flower water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Mix in remaining lemon zest and candied orange peel. Fold in wheat mixture and mix filling until well combined.
• Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry on a lightly floured surface so it will fit into the tart pan. Place pastry in the pan and spoon filling on top. Roll out the second puff pastry sheet and cut into 3/4-inch thick strips. Layer a lattice pattern on top of the filling and brush with beaten egg.
• Bake tart in the preheated oven until filling is set and lattice is lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool inside the tart pan, at least 1 hour.
• Carefully unmold tart, transfer onto a cake platter. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.