There's something hypnotic about ricotta. If it's mentioned in a recipe, I have to make it. If ricotta cheese jumped off of a bridge, I would likely follow. When ricotta cheese tells me to jump, I ask "how high." When it mentions it is high in "points" (that weight watching thing), I thumb my nose at point values. And yes, it is high in points.
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My downward spiral into ricotta-wonderland started as I thumbed through an old Tastes of Italia magazine looking for ideas for Carnevale weekend and saw "ricotta mousse," I knew I would be making it. When my son came home and announced we were going to get another foot of snow next week, I decided that waiting for the weekend was out of the question. I made it today. Even though it is white. Like the terrible stuff that falls from the sky.
Don't be fooled by the cloudy creaminess - it is flecked with toasted, slivered almonds and bejeweled with berries. There are a lot of tastes to lull you into happiness.
Ricotta Mousse Preparation
Don't be fooled by the cloudy creaminess - it is flecked with toasted, slivered almonds and bejeweled with berries. There are a lot of tastes to lull you into happiness.
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Ricotta Mousse (adapted from Tastes of Italia)
16 ounces whole milk ricotta (commercial brand works best in this recipe)
1/3-1/2 cup powdered sugar (you don't need the entire 1/2 cup unless you like it very sweet)
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup fresh berries
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Ricotta Mousse Preparation- Using a small, dry skillet, lightly toast your almonds.
- In a large bowl beat the ricotta and powdered sugar till combined.
- In a medium bowl, whip your cream with the vanilla until soft peaks form.
- Fold cream into the ricotta mixture.
- Fold in your almonds and berries.*
- In a small pan or a microwaveable bowl, melt your chocolate.
- Spoon ricotta mixture (I know, it's not really mousse) into goblets or ramekins.
- Drizzle with chocolate and serve. Or - cover with plastic wrap and store for 24 hours.
*Tastes of Italia used 12 cherries - which are not available here. Inexplicably, the grocer had some mighty fine strawberries so I used that. I will make this again and I will use the cherries... in June. When the snow has melted.
Come September, I will be going to Italy with Minnesota-husband and am looking for some off-the-beaten track villages, restaurants, ideas, foods to be enjoyed. If you have suggestions about places, foods, sites that made your heart skip a beat, please let me know. I am compiling a folder and would be most appreciative.
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Meanwhile, David Lebowitz had a most informative and gracious blogging post filled with advice for food bloggers. Find it here. There's a wealth of information and reading Mr. Lebowitz is always a bright spot. And Dianne Jacob has a pointed post on Will Write for Food regarding the new coding that Google search is requiring for its recipes. Find it here. And while you are "finding stuff," if you find my muse, please Fed-Ex her to me. I am in need of her.
60 comments:
How yummy is that? I love ricotta too, and would eat it with anything and everything! Your mousse looks and sounds really tasty!!!
I'd jump with Ricotta too. This sounds so great! Thanks for the blogging info too.
This looks so delicious! I love ricotta and especially in a heavenly dessert such as this!
It is nice to know I am not the only one ruled by food and its bossy nature! Ricotta mousse look heavenly!
This looks so wonderful. I too love ricotta cheese, but from your description you might like it just a bit more than I do! haha Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration. BTW - I loved the article by David Lebovitz; a must read.
Your recipe sounds fantastic. I would probably follow the ricotta too! I read that article about the coding changes, and the sure make it hard on people don't they. Hope you have a great week!
-Gina-
This is ricotta made dreamy! I like that there's both ricotta and whipping cream to give it that oompf. It looks yummy.
If ricotta asked me to jump I would ask how high too! I adore ricotta, sweet and savory! In fact tonight I had it with berries a little cocoa powder, stevia, and grated orange rind. You'll always find ricotta in my fridge, you and I are kindred spirits!
Oh I forgot to say, Congrats on you upcoming Italy trip, I'm quite envious! I love going in September!
Claudia - I think I'll jump with you and Marie right into that ricotta dessert. I have tons of ideas for your trip, from the Alps to Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia. But to which area(s) of Italy are you going? I seem to recall your family is from Basilicata? If that's so, I have a great place for you to visit there, especially since you're a writer. email me.
Jumping can be a problem, yes. Keeps the podiatrists within leaping distance of my place in business methinks.
As or Italia, if in Roma, Sora Margherita in the Ghetto is a must if you haven't been, (They add ricotta atop the cacio e pepe, whilst we're on that topic.) I hav a notebook w/ many great (reasonable) places to eat in Rome should you like.
Gotta run (uh, jump!)
I love the confections with Ricotta, this is really different to me mousse? Wow now this has to be so creamy and lite, perfect for the dieters like myself right now, lovely dessert that will be guilt free!
Oh! My! Riccota Mousse. That certainly sounds and looks yummy. I am always for desert that are guilt free. I just found the one. I am sure to try this!
Have a wondeful weekend.
Stay warm!
this looks really delicious love the chocolate in it
Claudia...you should be married to my spouse...he always asks me if there's ricotta 'fresca' in my cheese based recipes. I love it too...but you both are like two peas in a pod!
About your upcoming travels to Italy...I enjoyed many trips there and most of it (minus some important cities) I absolutely loved. However, if you were to ask me where would I go back if forced to choose...1st place would certainly go to the Island of Sardegna. Also, since French Corsica is a skip away...this Island too is a real gem!!!
If ever this is possible for you...feel free to email me about more info ;o)
Ciao for now and thanks for a ricotta dessert that I'm sure to be trying some time soon ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
I'm so glad to hear you're going to Italy soon! Just imagine all the wonderful things you're going to eat, see, do. Good for you, Claudia!
This ricotta mousse looks light and creamy (my very favorite kind of dessert). Pure happiness.
ricotta is so versatile! looks amazing (i might have to use nutella instead of dark choco chips though!) lol..
Thanks for stopping by my blog... it seems we were neighbors in the village a million years ago!
Delish recipe for the ricotta, I made some a few years ago and it was spectacular... bet it would be great in your mousse!
The trip sounds wonderful.. will give a thought to great places... there are some spectacular out of the way places if you have a car!!!
Oh Claudia, you just had me at ricotta! I think I would go for the strawberries too.
Ricotta mousse sounds like a really delicious and sinful dessert indeed! The photos look very tempting.
I love ricotta. And I'm embarrassed to admit that since having the fresh stuff, I've turned into a complete ricotta snob.
This ricotta dish is dreamy, creamy. I love the way that you write and always chuckle with your thoughts . . . I need to think about what I'd jump over a bridge for! What a hoot! I am so pea green with envy that you will be going to Italy in September. Now I want to be YOU, Claudia. I'd exchange my afternoon on the deck the other day for a trip to Italy ANY DAY! I hope that you will continue to post on your blog during your trip! Ciao Bella, Roz
This is really a lovely recipe. I have never made a mousse with ricotta. I really have to give this a try. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
I read the David Lebovitz post and thought it was great. I didn't read the Diane Jacob post, though, and will do so. Thanks! (P.S. Maybe our muses are hanging out together somewhere.)
I think you muse is still with you. After all, you are still using "flecked" and "bejeweled" and this recipe is obviously otherworldly. Yum.
Claudia, this looks rich, creamy and delicious.I'd love some for dessrt right now.
Love the sweet comments but should mention I don't think I gave any indication that this is a guilt-free dessert. High in points means high in calories... but as you could see, it didn't stop me from devouring it.
Ive only recently begun using ricotta in a few of my recipes but from your emphatic love of it I feel as though I need to be giving it more attention!! This mousse looks great :) I cant wait to experiment more with ricotta and try this.
I agree with you on the ricotta Claudia! I have a deep and abiding love for it. The ricotta mousse looks dreamy! Thank you for telling us about the new recipe codes - looks like a pain in the butt to implement.
Yes, Reeni - the new google codes look to be a royal pain in the butt to implement and I will not be doing it.
lovely dessert wow Italy what fun maybe ask Ruth from I love flavor me she lived there for a while
hugs Rebecca
I just love ricotta in my desserts! I fell in love with it the first taste! I'm sure your mousse will do it all over again! Thanks Claudia!
Your ricotta mousse sounds just heavenly! So wonderful with almonds and berries! Very exciting that you will be going to Italy soon!
I admit I am not such a connoisseur on ricotta; your mousse sounds so good and has all the ingredients that I would swoon over! Thanks also for the tips.
Looks absolutely heavenly! Thanks for sharing!
Ricotta is part of my childhood. I love it! Thanks for this mousse recipe! First itme I see a ricotta mousse!
I'd jump too!
Oh my... that's a bowl of deliciousness!!!
I am with you on the ricotta... love that stuff!
I think perhaps our muses have gone to warm weather together...on a little vacay, perhaps!? ;) This ricotta mousse is divine...berries and almonds and bliss.
This sounds and looks awesome!
You are so funny. Just love your humour and style of writing. Ricotta in a mousse is a first for me and sounds so tasty. Will have to try it, without jumping off a bridge...
Oh wow, I'm so jealous. Have fun in Italy!!!
Hi Claudia - those little cups of ricotta mousse would disappear in no time here.
YAY for your upcoming trip!
LL
Claudia, who can blame you for giving into this scrumptious ricotta dessert. It must be in our Italian genes, we just can't resist any recipe with ricotta. Great to hear you will be visiting Italy in the fall. I wish I could suggest places to eat. However, during past visits we rarely ate in restaurants. Fortunately we still have family in different regions of Italy and were totally spoiled with home cooked meals.
Claudia, Spring will be here soon. YEAH!!
The ricotta dessert is delightful. I love it.
I read the David Lebowitz post and found it to be helpful. I am always looking for new ways to improve my blogging. Thanks for sharing.
Velva
Something wonderful to look forward to,a trip to Italy! I am sure you will have many pleasant dreams in anticipation of your trip. The ricotta mousse looks so inviting. It must be delicious. Blessings, Catherine oxo
Smile. Your trip sounds like it is going to be wonderful. I can't wait to hear about your adventures in Italy next fall! And like you, I love seeing ricotta. Especially in desserts. Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a happy week. Your posts bring me joy...thank you for being you!
Your ricotta looks dreamy Claudia. How exciting to be going to Italy. Wow.
I subscribe to both David and Diane's blog and read them faithfully. Lots of great information from both of them.
Sam
What a glorious treat, Claudia! I wish I were sampling it right now!
RICOTTA!! Ok ~ after reading this post and seeing these yummy looking pics, I promise to never use low fat cottage cheese in my Lasagna recipe ever again!! :))
Claudia - that looks delicious! Jealous of your trip to Italy - I will live the trip vicariously through you as we will not be able to vacation this year.
Hope you are doing well!
mmmmmmmmm! heaven!
So exciting you're going to Italy, Claudia! Hope you come back with lots of idea and recipes!
The ricotta mousse looks divine and full of flavors and textures.
Lovely mousse - love the almonds and berries and chocolate is always right! Hope you have a memorable time in Italy! Thanks for the links and tips on google and blogging. One more thing to add to our already full plates :D
Drat! Sorry about the multipost Claudia. My keyboard is throwing a tantrum :P
I have never tried a ricotta mouse, this sounds fantastic!
Sorry I missed this post while away..I broght my lap top and then hardly turned it on as I was exhusted from touring all day.
This ricotta dessert looks so creamy and delicious! It is well worth the calories!
Thanks for the blog info links ...sounds interesting!
Italy is beautiful no matter where you go! There was a restuarant in Florence called Il Latini http://www.illatini.com/
that was absolutely amazing! They have one seating and people line up to get in. They serve many courses family style --you don't have much individual choice--but everything was so good!
Buy tickets to museums ahread of time in Florence to avoid long lines. Walk over to altro Arno (across the Arno river) out of the tourist section to find wonderful and cheaper restuarants)
Do the same in Rome and go to the less touristy Trastevere neighborhood.
Even through a gondola ride in Venice is terribly expensive do it--you won't regret it!
This looks lovely and easy! My mom used to make a pound cake with ricotta. Love ricotta desserts.
Would you believe, I have a container of ricotta, in my refrigerator, just waiting to be used. Printing this as I type. I hope to make it, this week. It is too good to be true.
I wanted to let you know that I made this. We love it. It is rich but not really. Lovely dish. Thanks for sharing it.
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