Tuesday 19 January 2010

RICOTTA AND HAZELNUT CAKE

Ricotta is a typical Italian dairy product, produced in different Italian areas, from North to South.
Literally it means "recooked", it is as white as snow and the taste quite sweet with a nubby texture makes it ideal in dessert preparation or with fruits like bananas or berries. I eat it with everything really, from chocolate to tomatoes or spinach or just on its own on bread. Generally fairly low in calories, you can eat it without any concern as it is light and healthy. It is cheap and very easy to find in England too. Check in your local Italian delicatessen, or in any supermarket. Even my local “Cost-cutter” has it.

Must admit that the following recipe is a calorific bomb but sooo mouth watering.

100g. butter
50g. plain flour
150g. caster sugar
4 eggs
100g. ricotta cheese
100g. chopped hazelnuts
1 lemon peel
50g. dark chocolate
Baking powder
Dash of Amaretto liquor

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Sift the flour with the baking powder.
Beat the egg whites until stiff with half the sugar. Do the same with butter and the rest of the sugar, then add the egg yolks, ricotta cheese, the chopped hazelnuts, flour, the lemon peel and a bit of amaretto liquor. Carefully rub in the sugar and egg whites mix.
Place the mixture in a greasy tin and bake for around 40 minutes.
When cold top with icing sugar or melted chocolate.

No comments:

Post a Comment