July 1, 2009

[jfield]

Thanks!  It was really intense w/all the savory flavors going on.  Tasty!   

[Queen]

YUM, Jenni! I love it!

[betherann]

I had a lot of fun with this one!  Not only are the ingredients delicious, but I created my first successful batch of granola in addition to this tasty Italian dessert as a result of this Joust.  Enjoy, and happy cooking!



Dolce Estivo: Ricotta Cream Parfait with Balsamic Strawberries

1/4 cup ricotta cheese (part-skim/fat-free if you wish)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 T brown sugar OR 1/2 packet stevia
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 T fresh basil, chopped
1/2 T baslamic vinegar
1/2 cup Spiced Strawberry Granola (see below)

Mix the ricotta cheese, vanilla, and sugar or stevia. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the strawberries, basil, and vinegar. Allow the berries to steep for 10 minutes.

In a glass or dish of your choice, begin to layer the ingredients. Place strawberries over the bottom of the dish, then spread the ricotta cream mixture over the berries. Top the ricotta with a sprinkle of granola. Repeat this layering process until all the ingredients have been used. Garnish with a whole strawberry and a sprig of basil.

Serves 1.

Spiced Strawberry Granola

1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 T canola oil
2 T maple syrup (I used sugar free)
1/8 cup diced dried strawberries
1/8 cup sliced almonds
sprinkle of crystallized ginger baking chips

Preheat the oven to 300*F. Layer a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and cover with a light coating of non-stick spray if you are using foil.

While the oven is warming, mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until well blended. Spread the mixture on the lined baking sheet, pressing it down onto the surface to encourage the oats to clump. Bake for 20 minutes, then stir. Bake for another 20 minutes or until the granola is golden brown in color.

Allow the granola to cool completely before serving or storing.

Makes just over 1 cup of granola.

[jfield]

Yum, betherann!  A simply lovely dessert with all sorts of textures happening. 

[Queen]

WOW, Betherann - this looks soooo good! Who can say no to ricotta and balsamic strawberries!?

[feedingmaybelle]

great entry and picture.

[Forum Team]

Great entry Betherann!!!  Wonderful picture too 

[feedingmaybelle]

I am super behind in blogging so who knows when I will get this post up.  But I did want to enter it.  This is my huband's idea and preparation. 





Strawberry Shrimp Ceviche with Popcorn
Boil ½ lb shrimp until slightly undercooked.

Cool shrimp.
To the shrimp, add:
1.5  cup strawberries, sliced
4 tablespoons kosher salt
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 basil leaves, chopped
¼  cup red onion, diced small1 jalapeno chili sliced
1/3 cup diced red pepper
1/3 cup diced garlic scapes
3 cloves garlic cut into slivers

Refrigerate.
Serve with popcorn or spiced popcorn. 

[The Crispy Cook]

Some really creative jousting happening here. Bravo everyone.  And the photography rocks too!

[jfield]

Now, there's a play on "popcorn shrimp" if I've ever seen one!  Nice!   

[UncoveringFood]

Everything looks delicious!

I am making mine and posting it tomorrow. This will be my first entry in RFJ. So excited 

[betherann]

Pairing shrimp, strawberries, and popcorn is so creative!

[Forum Team]

Great entry feedingmaybelle!  You guys are so creative this month!

[Queen]

Great job feedingmaybelle! I love your husband's execution!

[UncoveringFood]

Strawberry Basil Sorbet in a Sweet Rice Ring



When I read the ingredients for the Royal Foodie Joust (strawberries, basil, whole grain), I knew immeadiately I wanted to make a strawberry-basil sorbet. However, my sorbet is not really sweet, so when considering the grain to pair with the sorbet, I chose a sweet steamed rice cake (also known as puto). I cut the rice cake into a ring and filled it with the sorbet.

Strawberry Basil Sorbet

2 cups diced strawberries
1 cup chopped basil
5 cups water
2 tbsp honey
1 lemon

Bring strawberries, water and honey to a boil. When the liquid begins to boil, remove pot from the heat. Add basil and juice the lemon into the pot. Chill. Once chilled, blend ingredients. Follow directions on your ice cream maker to turn mixture into sorbet.

Sweet Steamed Rice Cake aka Puto

2 cups rice
2 cups light coconut milk
4 packets Truvia*
dash of salt
1 tbsp baking powder
4 tbsp water

Grind rice into powder. You can use rice flour but I prefer to grind my own so it is still a bit chunky. Mix ingredients together and let sit for ten to thirty minutes. Pour into a tin and steam for 20-25 minutes. Cut into rings and let cool slightly. Fill with sorbet and serve immeadiately.

* I choose to use Truvia because I wanted to use a low calorie natural sweetener. You can sweeten the cake with your favorite sweetener, just taste it before you add too much!