Are you craving a delicious dessert that's both simple to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This Strawberry Ricotta Pastry recipe is the perfect answer for those busy weeknights or special occasions when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe combines the creamy sweetness of ricotta cheese with the vibrant freshness of strawberries, all nestled in a flaky, buttery pastry crust. It's a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more. Get ready to experience homemade cooking at its finest with this easy recipe for a truly delicious dish.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions:
Making the Pastry:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for preventing shrinkage during baking.
Assembling and Baking the Pastry:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries.
- Assemble the pastry: Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. Spread the ricotta and strawberry filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Fold and bake: Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as you go. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and serve: Let the pastry cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. This quick dinner idea is perfect served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Ricotta Pastry:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of this dessert relies heavily on the freshness of the strawberries and the richness of the ricotta cheese.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough pastry.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This prevents the butter from melting too quickly during baking, ensuring a flaky crust.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference: If you prefer a less sweet pastry, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling.
Variations:
- Add other berries: Feel free to substitute or add other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the filling.
- Use different citrus zest: Orange or lime zest would also be delicious additions to the filling.
- Make it a hand pie: Instead of a large circle, roll the dough into smaller circles and fill them individually for individual hand pies.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50g
- Protein: 8-10g
This Strawberry Ricotta Pastry recipe is a perfect example of how easy and rewarding homemade cooking can be. It’s a healthy meal alternative for dessert and is sure to become a favorite among your family and friends. Enjoy this delicious and easy recipe!