For a great breakfast starter, or a simple, easy snack, berries with whipped cream and ricotta cheese is the way to go. The ricotta cheese adds a depth and flavor the whipped cream can’t achieve on its own. Select your favorite berries, about one cup each for 6 servings. We use raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and sliced strawberries in this recipe.
Berries
Rinse fresh berries, slice strawberries, place in medium non-plastic bowl.
Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, stir together and let sit about 20 minutes, the berries wil begin to break down.
Berry Cream
Whipping is easier and faster if the bowl is refrigerated and cold before beginning mixing.
1/3 cup plus 1 tbsps heavy or whipping cream
1/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
2 tbsps confectioners sugar
sprinkle of cinnamon
1 small bowl
1 medium, chilled bowl
Hand mixer
Directions
Stir ricotta cheese and 2 tbsps whipping cream together in small bowl. In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, blend 1/3 cup whipping cream, 3 tbsps confectioners sugar and cinnamon until stiff peaks form. By hand, gently fold in ricotta cheese mixture, let stand, covered, at least 20 minutes. (Will keep in a covered bowl no longer than overnight, can be re-whipped once more if necessary.)
To assemble: (You may add granola to the bottom of the bowl for extra crunch.) Sprinkle granola in the bottom of 6 small dessert bowls or ramekins. Spoon berries on top of granola (if granola is used) being sure to get some of the juice from the bottom of the berry bowl. Spoon a large dollop of berry cream on top, garnish with a slice of kiwi or a big, juicy blackberry.
Unless you are sorely pressed for time, freshly whipped cream is the only way to go! If you have to go to the store to buy ‘whipped topping’ anyway, just get the fresh heavy cream instead and really enjoy the flavor. You’ll never buy the imitation stuff again.
Berried Waffles with Berry Cream: Make extra Berry Cream using the above recipe and pile on fresh berries. If you have a waffle maker you can make the waffles ahead of time and freeze, then pop into the toaster when needed. Otherwise, any frozen waffle will work.
To make fresh waffles, use your favorite recipe or make a simple pancake batter and add a dash of vanilla. Hint: make waffle batter in batches, not all at once. The batter ‘dies’ rather quickly and the waffles will be flat and heavy.
Top hot waffles with Berry Cream and fresh berries, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and serve.
Submitted by innkeeper Monica Kissane of Freeport, Maine.
