A simple dessert using ricotta cheese

 This is a dessert that I made recently for a cooking party that I held.  This is a very simple, yet satisfying dessert that could follow most any meal.  One of the ingredients in this dish is a vanilla sugar which is very easy to make.

Vanilla Sugar:
1 whole vanilla bean
2 Cups of granulated sugar

Split the vanilla bean and using a knife, scrape out the vanilla paste from the center and add to the sugar.  Now, you'll need to combine the two by using a food processor or if you don't have one a coffee grinder works well also.

Sweet Ricotta with fresh fruit compote topped with vanilla sugar croutons.

Ricotta Mix:

1 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
3 tsp Orange zest
1 tsp Lemon zest
1 Tbsp Vanilla Sugar
1 tsp sliced mint leaves

Mix all the above ingredients together in a bowl and chill until ready to use.

Fruit Compote:

1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup blueberries
8 strawberries (quartered)

Put the juices in a sauce pan with the sugar and heat over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Next, add the fruit and turn the heat up and allow to boil for 2 minutes then reduce to a simmer for another 10 minutes.  Set the compote aside until ready to use, you should serve this slightly warmed.

Croutons:

2-3 slices of Ciabatta bread cut into cubes
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 1/2 Tbsp Vanilla Sugar


Procedure:

Take the butter and melt in the microwave then add the sugar and mix completely.  Now put the bread cubes in a bowl and pour the butter over them and toss to coat.  Now place the croutons on a baking sheet and put into a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. (you may need to adjust the time depending on your oven)

To serve this dessert place a couple of scoops of the sweet ricotta mix onto a dessert plate, and top with the warm fruit compote a croutons.  This is a very simple dessert that looks classy, so try this out at your next dinner party and impress your friends.

Fun food tip:

After you scrape the paste out of the vanilla bean put it into a glass jar with 1 cup of bourbon.  Allow this so sit in your cupboard for a month giving it a gentle shake every few days and at the end of the month you will have made your own pure vanilla for baking.  This is a much more cost effective way of having pure vanilla around the house at a fraction of the price.