Blackberry Focaccia With Sweet Ricotta Cheese Recipes

FOCACCIA WITH RICOTTA AND PISTACHIO PESTO

Steps:

• Mix the warm water, yeast and sugar in a medium bowl. Let sit about 15 minutes for the yeast to bloom. In a stand mixer with a hook attachment, combine the flour, 1/2 cup of the olive oil, the kosher salt and yeast mixture and mix on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Turn the mixer to medium high and continue to knead the dough until smooth, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Sprinkle a clean work surface liberally with flour. Turn out the dough onto the surface and knead by hand until smooth and elastic, 3 to 4 minutes. Coat the mixer bowl with olive oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Coat a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet with the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Turn out the proofed dough onto the baking sheet and press out all the way to the edges. Use your fingertips to poke holes in the dough. Sprinkle with sea salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Uncover the dough and bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Serve with ricotta and pistachio pesto.
• Pulse 1/4 cup chopped roasted pistachios, 2 tablespoons each lemon zest and pistachio oil (or olive oil), 1 tablespoon each chopped parsley and mint and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a food processor to combine. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil (the good stuff) while pulsing until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Transfer the pesto to a bowl; season with salt. Stir in another 1/4 cup chopped pistachios. Makes 2 cups.

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.