Italian Ricotta Cake

By kmad

Around Easter, many Neapolitan bakeries display the traditional pastiera, or Easter "pie," which is actually a type of cheesecake. Though no two recipes are alike, all contain ricotta cheese and a sweetened grain (usually rice or wheat berries), symbolizing spring's fertility. Our cake is soft as a down pillow, creamy like custard, and lightly flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Serve wedges at room temperature with an easy sauce of fresh strawberries

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

Preparation

Step 1

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.