Ricotta Dip And Fresh Fruit Food

FRUITY RICOTTA DIP

Steps:

• COMBINE all ingredients in small bowl.
• REFRIGERATE to blend flavors until ready to serve with an assortment of fresh fruit.

FRESH BERRIES & SWEET RICOTTA

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.

SWEET RICOTTA DIP FOR FRUIT

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients.
• Chill.

RICOTTA FRUIT DIP

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor bowl combine the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, orange juice and vanilla.
• Cover and blend or process till smooth.
• Stir into the yogurt.
• If desired, cover and chill up to 24 hours.
• Serve with assorted fruit.

RICOTTA DIP FOR VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put the garlic cloves in a microwave safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cook the garlic on high power in the microwave, until very soft, about 1 1/2 minutes. (Alternatively steam the garlic until soft.) Let cool, and gently press the cooked garlic out of the skin onto a cutting board. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, and mince together with the parsley leaves to make a paste. Using a fork, blend the garlic-parley paste with the ricotta, lemon zest, and olive oil. Season with pepper and serve with vegetable crudités such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and button mushrooms.
• Keep in airtight container refrigerated for 2 days.

RICE PUDDING WITH RICOTTA AND FRESH FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the rice, water, raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until the rice is tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, 5 to 10 minutes until the water is absorbed. Let cool. Fold in the ricotta cheese and vanilla extract.
• Mold in individual molds and turn out onto a serving plate, or place a 1/2 cup mound in the center of 8 dessert plates. Surround with fresh fruit. Makes 8 servings.
• Burt Wolf * Eating Well.

RICOTTA FRUIT DIP

Steps:

• In a blender container or food processor bowl combine the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla.
• Cover and blend or process till smooth. Stir into the yogurt. If desired, cover and chill up to 24 hours.
• Serve with berries, melon, and other fruit.

HONEY RICOTTA DIP

Steps:

• Beat these ingredients together and serve with fresh fruit of your choice (i.e. strawberries, rockmelon, grapes, etc.).

FRUIT PLATTER WITH WHIPPED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Poached Peaches: Combine peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until fruit is just tender, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on ripeness. Transfer peaches to a heatproof container with a slotted spoon; strain syrup over top. Let cool completely. Peaches in syrup can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 week. (Makes about 2 cups.)
• Whipped Ricotta: Puree ricotta, vanilla, and maple syrup in a food processor or blender until creamy. Mixture can be refrigerated, covered, up to 5 days. (Makes 2 cups.)
• Fruit Platter: Arrange all fresh fruits on a platter. Serve with poached peaches, whipped ricotta, and digestive biscuits.