Vanilla Strawberries with Lemon Ricotta

A simple dessert to prepare with strawberries.  For those of you who are not concerned with fat intake this will work as well with whole milk ricotta.

1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Pinch of salt
3 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest

If using vanilla bean, halve lengthwise. Using the tip of a small sharp knife, scrape the seeds from the pod into a medium bowl. Add honey, lemon juice and salt (and vanilla extract if not using a vanilla bean); whisk until well combined. Add strawberries and stir to combine. Let stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Just before serving, combine ricotta and lemon zest in another bowl.

Taste the strawberry mixture; if it’s too tart, add a little more honey. To serve, spoon 1/2 cup of the ricotta into each of 4 dessert bowls and top each with about 1/3 cup of the strawberries. Serve immediately.

Eating Well, June 2013