Rich Blueberry Ricotta Cheese Bars Recipes

BLUEBERRY RICOTTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square baking dish.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, and baking powder. Add the milk, shortening, 1 egg, and lemon extract, and use an electric mixer to mix on low speed for 1 minute, then on medium speed for 1 minute. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread evenly. Sprinkle blueberries over the batter.
• In a medium bowl, stir together 2 beaten eggs, ricotta cheese, 1/3 cup of sugar, and vanilla extract. Spoon this mixture over the blueberries, and spread evenly.
• Bake for 55 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

BLUEBERRY LEMON RICOTTA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For the blueberries: Macerate the blueberries by mixing them together with the sugar and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside while you make the ricotta mix and the bruschetta.
• For the lemon ricotta: Add the ricotta, heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Mix until the ricotta is smooth and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• For the crostini: Heat a griddle (or large cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Spread each side of the sliced bread with some butter. Toast the bread on both sides until crisp and golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Allow the bread to cool slightly.
• For serving: To assemble, smear a heaping tablespoon of the lemon-ricotta mixture onto a piece of toasted bread. Top with a tablespoon of the macerated blueberries and garnish with a basil leaf. Transfer the bruschetta to a platter and drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Zest the lemon over the platter before serving.

BLUEBERRY RICOTTA BLINTZES

Steps:

• 1. For blintzes: Combine flour, milk, 1/4 cup water, egg, Truvia® natural sweetener, and salt in a blender until smooth. Scrape down the sides; add the 2 tablespoons melted butter and pulse to combined. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
• 2. For filling: Beat the ricotta and cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Add the egg, Truvia® natural sweetener and lemon zest and beat until smooth.
• 3. Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until a drop of water bounces briefly on the surface before evaporating. Quickly pour 2 tablespoons of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to coat the bottom and make a thin pancake. Cook until the bottom is golden, about 1 minute. Transfer to parchment or wax paper to cool. Continue with the remaining batter, stacking blintzes as they cool.
• 4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spoon 2 tablespoons cheese filling on the lower third of the lighter side of the blintz, fold the sides over the filling and then fold in the bottom, rolling up into a tight package. Place blintz, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pancakes and filling. Bake until puffed and heated through, about 20 minutes.
• 5. Meanwhile, stir together 1 cup blueberries, 1/8 cup water and Truvia® natural sweetener in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened and saucy, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup blueberries and lemon juice. Serve blintzes warm with the blueberry compote.