Ricotta Cake (pastiera) and Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

• • 1 quart whole milk
  • 3/4 cup arborio rice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • Unsalted butter, for pan
  • All-purpose flour, for pan
  • 3 pounds fresh ricotta cheese, drained 3 hours or preferably overnight
  • 3 large whole eggs plus 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
  • Strawberry Sauce to Make 1 1/2 Cups 

Directions

1. Bring milk to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in rice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla bean. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until rice is very tender and has absorbed all liquid, about 30 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Cover; let cool, stirring occasionally. Discard vanilla bean.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, combine the rice mixture, ricotta, whole eggs and egg yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until golden on top and almost set in the center, 65 to 70 minutes; cover with foil if starting to brown too much. Transfer pan to a cooling rack.
4. When cake has completely cooled, run a knife around edge to loosen. Gently remove ring; transfer cake to a serving platter. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve with sauce.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Combine all ingredients in a medium nonreactive saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Martha Stewart Living, 2003