Strawberry Ricotta Strata Food

STRAWBERRY STRATA

Steps:

• Place the cheeses in a large bowl and stir together with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until completely incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the milk, strawberries, honey, cinnamon, and bread. Pour into an 8 by 10 by 2-inch casserole dish. If freezing, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 day and up to 1 month.
• To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake covered with foil for 45 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Remove the foil and continue baking for 30 to 35 minutes.

STRAWBERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Place the ricotta in a small strainer set over a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to drain the excess liquid.
• Transfer the drained ricotta to a food processor or blender, add the brown sugar and orange liqueur, and process until smooth. (The ricotta mixture can be made up to 8 hours in advance, covered and kept refrigerated.)
• Divide the strawberries among 4 dessert bowls and top each with a 1/4 cup of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with the pistachios.

BERRY STRATA

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Turn off the heat, add the honey, and stir to combine.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the eggs, ricotta, and sugar. Using a fork, mix to combine and beat the eggs. Add the milk, orange juice, butter and honey mixture, and bread. Stir to combine. Gently fold in the berries.
• Place the ingredients in a 10-inch round (2-quart) baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the strata until golden on top and baked through, about 40 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon into dishes and serve.
• SERVINGS: 4 (MAIN); Calories: 401; Total Fat: 18 grams; Saturated Fat: 9 grams; Protein: 14 grams; Total carbohydrates: 49 grams; Sugar: 34 grams; Fiber: 3 grams; Cholesterol: 249 milligrams; Sodium: 292 milligrams

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Put the ricotta cheese, honey and vanilla extract into the small bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• In a small saucepan combine the vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, toss the berries with the basil and the balsamic syrup.
• Divide the cream among 4 cocktail glasses, top with the berry mixture and serve.
• Excellent source of: Vitamin C, Manganese
• Good source of: Protein, Vitamin K, Calcium, Phosphorus, Selenium

STRAWBERRY RICOTTA STRATA

Steps:

• Grease an 8x11'', or 9x13'' baking dish. Place the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish, arranging them to cover the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest and ¼ teaspoon salt.
• Slowly, and evenly, pour the egg-milk mixture over the bread in the baking dish. Mix ricotta, strawberry preserves, and orange juice in a separate bowl mixing until well blended. Spoon the ricotta and jam evenly over the top. For best results, cover the strata tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.*.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. If you have refrigerated the strata, remove it from the fridge and let the strata sit on the counter while the oven preheats to remove the chill. Uncover the strata, brush with cream and sprinkle the almonds on top.
• Bake, UNCOVERED, for 55 minutes - 1 hour, or until the strata is puffed, browned and the center is set (it shouldn't jiggle when shaken)*. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with fresh mint, strawberries and powdered sugar if using. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!