Ricotta with Vanilla-Sugar Croutons and Berries
- 1/4 (4 ounces) ciabatta loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla sugar, recipe follows
- 1/2 cup orange juice (from 1 medium orange)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup blueberries
- 8 strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 3 teaspoons orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar, recipe follows
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 vanilla bean
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium bowl, toss together the bread cubes and melted butter.
- Add the vanilla sugar and toss until the bread cubes are coated in sugar.
- Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- In a small saucepan, bring the orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar to a simmer, over medium-low heat.
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the blueberries and strawberries and simmer until the fruit softens, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Cool the syrup to room temperature.
- For the Ricotta:
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Mix well.
- To serve: Divide the ricotta mixture between 4 decorative dessert bowls.
- Spoon the fruit syrup over the ricotta and top with the croutons.
- Garnish with the sliced mint.
- Place the sugar in the bowl of a food processor.
- Using a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean in half, lengthways, and scrape out the seeds.
- Add the vanilla seeds to the sugar.
- Pulse 10 to 15 times until the vanilla and sugar are combined.
- Cut the empty vanilla pod into 1-inch pieces and place in a glass mason jar.
- Add the vanilla sugar to the jar and seal.
- Shake the jar before using.
- Yield: 2 cups
- Prep Time: 1 minute
ciabatta loaf, unsalted butter, vanilla sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, blueberries, strawberries, milk ricotta cheese, orange zest, lemon zest, vanilla sugar, mint, sugar, vanilla bean
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ricotta-with-vanilla-sugar-croutons-and-berries-recipe.html (may not work)