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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mocha Ricotta Crème

mocha ricotta 0211 (1)Do you like dessert?

So do we. How about combining chocolate chips, cocoa powder, vanilla extract,  part-skim ricotta cheese, espresso powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips?
OK some may not think it sounds appetizing, but it’s actually good together in a dessert that’s allowed on the South Beach plan. (Notice that it’s being called a plan not diet because that sounds too much like something for the short-time vs. the bigger picture of changing our eating habits.)

F&P Note: All recipes listed below are for a single serving , adjust as needed. Also, we add sugar-free Cool Whip® on top

Mocha Ricotta Crèmemocha ricotta 0211 (2)
  • ½ C part-skim ricotta cheese
  • ½ tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pkge sugar substitute
  • 6 mini chocolate chips
  • Dash espresso powder
Mix together the ricotta, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sugar substitute in a dessert bowl. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and a dusting of espresso powder on top. Serve chilled.
IF you don’t like cocoa powder or chocolate, try this version:

Vanilla Ricotta Crème
  • ½ C part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract *
  • 1 pkge sugar substitute
  • 1 tsp slivered toasted almonds
Mix together the ricotta, vanilla extract and sugar substitute in a dessert bowl. Serve chilled, sprinkled with toasted almonds. Another variation is to make almond crème by using ¼ tsp almond    extract instead of vanilla.

And another variation that we enjoy in warmer months.

Lime/Lemon Zest Ricotta Crème
  • ½ C part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 tsp grated lime zest OR lemon zest
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pkge sugar substitute
Mix together the ricotta, lime (or lemon) zest, vanilla extract, and sugar substitute in a dessert bowl. Serve chilled.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

This looks delicious!
I´m glad that I have such bad memory so I won´t remember to buy those things on my way home tomorrow :-) :-) :-) Because I would most probably go for real sugar and lots of chocolate :-) :-)

Have a great day now!
Christer.

Lois Evensen said...

My, goodness, that looks good. :)

Connie said...

Looks delicious! It helps to have something to help satisfy the cravings for sweets.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Christer, the cool-whip topping helps this dessery a lot, it's not real whipped cream though much to grenville's dismay and he would like to add hot fudge sauce.

Lois, it is a bit unusual, but with the cool-whip topping and some crushed pecans it's tolerable for us.

Daisy, you are so right!

T. Becque said...

Actually it sounds very good to me!

MadSnapper said...

never knew ricotta could be YUMMY but I do now

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Yes T. and Sandra is was very good and knowing this was an "allowed" treat made it even better.

Cicero Sings said...

Hi there,

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment(s). I find food, birds and adventures on your blog ... looks good ... I'll add you to my reader list!

D and I were always trying to lose weight, and really, we did portion control, exercised etc but I think we were just too contented! The first 3 weeks after D died I lost 15 lbs (got down to my target weight) and it has stayed off. Not a recommended way to lose! Sigh. I'd be chubby and have D back any day.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi Cicero Sings and welcome to our blog - so glad you dropped in and hope you will do so again! Thanks for your comments on your weight loss experiences and sorry about D.

Elaine said...

Hmmm, I'm not convinced about this one, but then I think I would rather skip dessert entirely than do too much replacements. In the end I think I end up eating more than if I just have a small portion of the real thing.

Desiree said...

I love pudding! But I'm too lazy to make it these days (perhaps just as well, as it all settles round my middle) - this sounds absolutely divine and I wish I could have popped over to taste some of yours :)

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Elaine, you may be right because we find ourselves wanting to make this dessert more often because we know it's "allowed." Every now and then I make a sugar-free jello - not Grenville's favorite maybe because he can't cover it in hot fudge sauce (ya think?)

Hi Desiree, this isn't exactly a pudding and not sure of what to call it. If you are ever in the neighborhood, drop in and we'll make it for you!

DeniseinVA said...

This looks yummy. Thanks for the recipe.

Christmas-etc... said...

Looks really yummy! Will give it a try!
Ann

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hello Denise - welcome to our blog, so glad you stopped in for a visit and thanks for the comment too. We DO like this dessert (too much). I stopped in to your blog and plan to return and read more. We are now living on the VA eastern shore and you and Gregg?

Yes Ann it is and do let us know if you like it (or not). Hope you are feeling better too.