Seasonal recipe
Recipe for individual Italian parfaits
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Serves 4
Similar to cannoli filling, this sweetened ricotta mixture, layered with crushed amaretti cookies and toasted hazelnuts, is a unique twist on a classically layered parfait dessert.
| ½ | cup skinned hazelnuts, toasted |
| 15 | ounces whole or part-skim ricotta |
| ¼ | cup vanilla yogurt |
| ½ | cup confectioners’ sugar |
| 1 | teaspoon vanilla extract |
| 25 | amaretti cookies |
| ½ | cup heavy cream |
| 1 | ounce semisweet or sweet chocolate, grated (for garnish) |
1. Set the oven at 375 degrees. Have on hand 4 tall glasses or coupe glasses.
2. In a baking dish, toast the hazelnuts, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned; cool. Chop the hazelnuts coarsely; transfer to a bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk the ricotta until creamy, then whisk in the yogurt, ¼ cup of the confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Meanwhile, place cookies in a large zipper-top plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them to the size of peas.
5. In a cold bowl with cold beaters, beat the cream and the remaining ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar until it holds soft peaks.
6. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture into each glass, sprinkle with amaretti and a few hazelnuts (save 2 tablespoons of the nuts for the garnish). Make more layers in this way, ending with a thin layer of ricotta. Add a spoonful of whipped cream and top with the reserved hazelnuts and chocolate. Jillian Bernardini
© Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.
