Mandi Horn’s Homemade Ricotta Cheese with Poached Rhubarb & Walnut Crumble
Chef Mandisa Horn, Owner and Executive Chef of Horn O Plenty in Bedford PA, presented this recipe at the 2016 PA Home Show at the Thermador Stage. We thought we would share it because it was incredibly delicious! This recipe is the perfect dessert, but can also be served as a snack or even for breakfast! the whole recipe is broken down into three components to make it easier to follow.
Ricotta Cheese -- this is really easy and super delicious home-made, but if you’re pinched for time you can certainly buy some. Just be sure to strain the liquid in the container.
Ingredients:
-1 Gallon of Milk (whole works best; Mandi used raw milk if you have access to that/wish to use it)
-1/3 Distilled White Vinegar (lemon juice can also be used in place of the vinegar; do not worry about the taste, the vinegar will not leave behind a foul taste in the cheese)
Instructions:
1.) Heat the milk until it reaches 180 degrees (basically until it boils). Remove from heat when it does and add the vinegar. Let it sit a few minutes (at least 5-10), then pour the liquid through a strainer lined with cheese cloth to separate the curds and whey.
Walnut Crumble
Ingredients:
1 cup of flour (any kind you prefer to use)
1 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of walnuts, chopped
Instructions:
2.) Whisk flour and sugar to combine
3.) Cut the butter into the flour & sugar mixture until it reaches the point of kidney bean sized pieces.
4.) Toss in the chopped walnuts, lay out on a cookie sheet, an bake until it’s browned (watch it closely so it doesn’t burn; approximately 20 minutes but time will vary depending on oven and other factors).
Rhubarb Syrup
Ingredients:
-2 cups chopped rhubarb, chopped largely
-1 & 1/2 cups sugar
-1 cup of red wine
-1/2 cup water
-vanilla bean (optional)
Instructions:
1.) Macerate the Rhubarb by pouring the sugar over the pieces and toss with hands to coat
2.) Bring water, wine, sugar, and vanilla bean to a boil. Reduce it by half.
3.) Add the rhubarb once the liquid has reduced and cook just slightly (about 2 minutes).
4.) Remove from heat and assemble! Cheese, some rhubarb syrup and then some crumble on top. If you run out of the cheese or choose to not make it, plain greek yogurt is an excellent substitute.