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Ricotta-Mascarpone Mousse with Balsamic Strawberries Recipe

Filed under Dessert, Wheat-free

Ricotta-Mascarpone Mousse with Balsamic Strawberries

Ever stumble upon something that everyone else seems to know about or has tried, but for you it's a brand new oh-my-gosh discovery, and then you feel like an idiot, because, where have you been? For me, that something was the combination of fresh strawberries, sugar and balsamic vinegar. I've certainly heard rumblings about it (check out some of the links at the end of this recipe), but the idea of adding any kind of vinegar to strawberries just didn't seem right. How wonderful to be oh-so-wrong. Of course you do need to use balsamic vinegar, an aged, deeply flavored, somewhat sweet vinegar; an ordinary vinegar probably won't taste that good; if that's all you have use some grated lemon zest and a little lemon juice instead. The mousse is extremely easy to make - folded together whipped cream, mascarpone and ricotta cheeses. This recipe is based on one from our local Sacramento food celebrity chef, Biba Caggiano, and is a great mostly make-ahead recipe for summer entertaining.

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Ricotta-Mascarpone Mousse with Balsamic Strawberries Recipe

Ingredients

strawberries-balsamic-4.jpg
1 cup heavy cream
1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Grated zest of one lemon
2 pounds strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, or to taste

Method

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1 In a medium bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks form.

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2 In a large bowl combine the ricotta, mascarpone, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and lemon zest. Using an electric beater, whip the ricotta-mascarpone mixture until thoroughly combined and smooth.

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3 Gradually fold the whipped cream into the ricotta until the mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.

4 Put strawberries in another bowl. Half an hour before serving gently mix in the remaining sugar and balsamic vinegar. Make sure you don't let the strawberries sit in the balsamic vinegar much longer than 30 minutes before serving or the acidity of the vinegar will cook the strawberries.

5 When you are ready to serve, fill glass bowls halfway with the strawberries and their juices. Spoon on the ricotta-mascarpone mousse or use a pastry bag to pipe the mousse.

Serves 8.

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Posted by Elise on Jul 22, 2007 and indexed Mascarpone, Mousse, Ricotta, Strawberry

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Comments

Just made raspberry vinegar. Wonder if that would work? Will try it out!

Posted by: Wendy on July 23, 2007 12:45 AM

A friend of mine picked up a bottle of 18 year old balsamic vinegar at a wine shop and I made a similar dessert with it - the strawberries marinated in the vinegar for a few hours and then we topped it with a marscapone based topping - similar to the consistency of zabaglione. The combination of the sweet acidity of the vinegar and the creaminess of the marscapone is simply divine. Yum! I will have to give this mousse a try as the topping next time.

Posted by: Felicia on July 23, 2007 4:42 AM

I had forgotten about basalmic vinegar on strawberries. I used to serve strawberries that way all the time. Then I moved to topping strawberries with a dollop of Trader Joe's 0%fat, greek yoghurt and a teensy sprinkling of brown sugar. Marscapone here I come!

Posted by: cab on July 23, 2007 9:29 AM

I adore mascarpone mousse, and the addition of ricotta is just perfect. I once had a balsamic ice cream paired with strawberries, it was divine.

Posted by: Mercedes on July 23, 2007 10:42 AM

I make something similar for a no fuss slightly fancy looking dessert. I put 1/4 C. of Balsamic and 1/4 C. of honey in a pan on medium heat and reduce to a nice syrup. I lightly sugar the strawberries and let them macerate for an hour or so in the fridge. I serve them in a compote with a generous drizzle of the syrup and some fresh whipped cream or a mascarpone/whipped cream. I will have to try your mousse though - it sounds divine.

Posted by: Jane on July 23, 2007 11:14 AM

I've done a somewhat similar dessert that I love ... Mix strawberries, fresh lemon juice, & sliced fresh mint. I let the mixture marinate, then serve it with vanilla bean ice cream. Can't wait to try the balsamic and marscapone!

Posted by: Eileen on July 23, 2007 11:22 AM

How funny I have never heard of combining strawberries and vinegar. I will give it a try, thanks!

Posted by: Trinity on July 23, 2007 12:23 PM

That looks wonderful. But, much as I adore strawberries and balsamic, raspberries and balsamic is even better. With your topping ... too divine.

Cheers!

Posted by: almost vegetarian on July 23, 2007 12:41 PM

Oh, Joy!!!

I have had strawberries with balsamic before, but this sounds absolutely delicious!

Posted by: Sonia on July 23, 2007 1:10 PM

I would love to know some specific balsamic vinegar recommendations. I've heard Trader Joe's carries some good ones - which ones??
I want to try this recipe!!
Thanks!

Posted by: jackie on July 23, 2007 9:07 PM

Add some freshly shredded basil leaves to the strawberries and you'll drool even more!

Posted by: Alice on July 23, 2007 10:09 PM

I've got a friend who swears by buying cheap balsamic then reducing it down. Btw..I'm so damn hungy for strawberries right now..thanks!

Posted by: Jeff on July 24, 2007 6:07 AM

I serve vanilla panna cotta with balsamic strawbetrries over it. It never fails to win raves from my guests. Try adding 1/2 teaspoon very finely ground pepper to the strawberry balsamic mixture. Yummy!

Posted by: Patti on July 24, 2007 6:12 AM

I tasted the best balsamic at a small oil&vinegar shop near me and was thinking of buying some and having it with strawberries.
Now I have to try this recipe since it just screams at me to go get the vinegar for sure!

Posted by: Mar on July 24, 2007 7:53 AM

I have some pomegranate balsamic at home, been waiting for a good recipe to try it out with and this looks perfect.

For a quick and easy dessert, I'm in the habit of mixing a couple TBSP mascarpone with 1/2 cu or so ricotta. A couple tsp of sugar or sugar alternative, flavoring of your choice (I prefer almond flavoring or rosewater with this dessert, vanilla seems to overpower it) and voila. If made with sugar alternative, this is a no-carb dessert.

A good substitute for ice cream or pudding when you're in the mood for a creamy dessert.

Posted by: Gira on July 24, 2007 11:55 AM

Balsamic vinegar is one of my absolute favorite foods/flavors, and I love strawberries, so when I heard about combining them about a year ago I was thrilled. I love the combination. I also like balsamic vinegar on vanilla ice cream -- just a little, of course, and it has to be really good quality vinegar. I have a ten year old brand I like to buy, but I can't remember the name right now.

Posted by: Zoe on July 24, 2007 12:41 PM

What a beautiful photo. And I love anything Biba! Great light summer treat.

Posted by: Lisa on July 24, 2007 2:56 PM

I have been doing this for a while and love it, but I think the flavor is much better when you use brown sugar instead of white.

Posted by: Kate on July 25, 2007 5:06 AM

This is amazing! The strawberries are sweet and tangy, and the mousse has the rich flavor of cheesecake and lightness of whipped cream.

I used Splenda instead of sugar, which was just fine.

Next time I would double the strawberries for this amount of mousse. As the recipe is, we ate all the strawberries and have two cups of leftover mousse! I guess there are worse problems to have...

Posted by: Lisa on July 25, 2007 5:59 AM

I too have heard of this combination but haven't yet tried it. Perhaps it's true that often the simplest ingredients can produce divine results!

I should definitely try this.

Posted by: Ari (Baking and Books) on July 25, 2007 11:53 AM

I've been hearing of strawberries and balsamic for a long time, I'm a little skeptical but maybe it's finally time I try it.

Posted by: Amy on July 26, 2007 10:39 AM

I love mascarpone and I love strawberries with balsamic vinegar - this looks like it would be wonderful with some crushed amaretti cookies on top.

Posted by: Andi on July 29, 2007 11:51 AM

Oh, Dear Elise! It was delightful. Sweet cheese mouse and a little sour strawberries...I am thinking about to add next time a little aspic to the mouse and freeze it. Than you very much for this wonderful recipe.

Posted by: savory_fan on August 1, 2007 12:27 AM

Just came back from a dinner that I brought this dessert to. It was a big hit! Thanks so much - this one will definitely go into my summer dessert repertoire.

Posted by: arcey on August 4, 2007 11:57 PM

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