Peaches with Ricotta Cream

Peaches are one of my favourite fruits to eat.  So when August (peach season) comes along, I start brainstorming all the different ways to prepare and eat fresh peaches.  Peaches with Ricotta Cream is a light and simple dish that allows for the natural sweetness and juicy texture of the fresh peaches to shine through, while giving it more substance and a creamy texture with the layer of ricotta cream.  Serve this dessert for a light and fresh finish to a heavy meal.

Note: I used lady finger cookies for this recipe this time around which had a great texture and sweetness, but the taste of amaretti cookies is spot on with this dish.  Why not try a combination of the two? 

Tip: Try preparing your dessert like an individual trifle.  Simply layer pieces of lady fingers in the dish before topping with peach slices and ricotta cream.

Ingredients:

2 peaches, sliced and peeled

1/2 - 3/4 cup ricotta cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp Grand Marnier

1/2 tsp orange or lemon zest

2-4 tsp sugar (preferably superfine sugar)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

slivered almonds,toasted for garnish

lady finger cookies or amaretti cookies (amount depends on how you serve the dish)

Directions:

1.  Stir together ricotta, vanilla extract, lemon zest, Grand Marnier, sugar, and cinnamon, adjusting the amount of sugar depending on your taste.

2.  Place peaches in 2 martini glasses or glass dishes.  Spoon ricotta cream over the peaches, letting it drape down the sides.  Crumble lady finger cookies or amaretti cookies over ricotta cream. Top with almonds and garnish with a lady finger cookie or amaretti cookie.