Italian Style Cream Pudding Recipes

ITALIAN-STYLE CREAM "PUDDING"

Steps:

• Sprinkle gelatine over 1/2 cup of the half-and-half in medium saucepan. Let stand 5 min. Stir in remaining 1 cup half-and-half, the granular sweetener and vanilla. Cook on low heat until gelatine is completely dissolved, stirring frequently. (Do not boil.)
• Pour gelatine mixture into blender or food processor. Add ricotta cheese; cover. Blend until pureed. Pour evenly into eight 6-oz. custard cups or souffle dishes. Refrigerate 2 hours or until set.
• Microwave jam in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 15 sec. just before serving. Spoon 1/2 tsp. of the jam over each dessert. Store leftover desserts in refrigerator.

ITALIAN CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Line a 9 inch pie plate with plastic wrap, leaving a few inches overhang on all edges.
• Whisk the eggs with the sugar in a large bowl, adding the cornstarch whisking until no lumps remain.
• In a medium saucepan, add the cream and milk and simmer over low heat for a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and slowly pour about 1 cup of the hot milk-cream into the egg bowl, whisking steadily, to temper the eggs. When blended, slowly pour the tempered eggs back into the saucepan of milk and cream, again whisking constantly.
• Put the pan back over medium-low heat, and whisk steadily until the custard heats and thickens. Don't let it boil, though it should bubble occasionally. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until it is quite thick.
• Remove from the heat, and stir in the crumbled biscotti, chopped chocolate, nuts, and cocoa powder. Stir continuously until the chocolate has melted and all the ingredients are evenly blended. Pour the custard into the pie plate, and cover with plastic wrap, laying it directly on the top of the pudding. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve: Remove the top sheet of plastic, invert onto a serving plate, and cut into wedges. Top with unsweetened whipped cream and coarsely crumbled biscotti (if you have any left) or crushed hazelnuts; in season, strawberries or raspberries would be wonderful.

ITALIAN PUDDING

Steps:

• Slice the dried apricots. If you're using unsulfured apricots, soak them in warm water for 20 minutes to plump them up before slicing.
• Using an electric beater, whip the ricotta cheese until smooth.
• Mix in the vanilla and raspberry preserves.
• Fold in the fruits and nuts.
• Add in the whipped cream not more than 2 hours before you intend to serve. Fold in the whipped cream and serve.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix milk, rice, 1/2 of the sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
• Blend remaining sugar with whole eggs and yolks in a bowl to make a creamy custard.
• Reduce heat of the milk mixture. Let simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes. Fold in the custard. Heat until thickened again, about 5 minutes more.
• Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
• Remove the milk and custard mixture from heat. Let cool, about 10 minutes. Fold in the whipped cream. Pour pudding into a serving dish, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.