Pears with Ricotta and Chocolate

To prepare a refined and delicious dessert, start by gathering all the necessary ingredients and ensure you have a large bowl and spatulas for mixing at hand. In a bowl, place the ricotta cheese, a creamy and flavorful ingredient that will form the base of our preparation. Add powdered sugar, which will sweeten the mixture, and cocoa, the amount being up to you, but we recommend around 5 g so it doesn't overpower the flavors. If you are a chocolate lover, you can add more cocoa for a more intense taste. Then, don't forget the vanilla essence, a few drops being enough to bring a pleasant aroma and an elegant note.

Mix all the ingredients in the bowl well with a spatula or with a mixer on low speed until you obtain a homogeneous and creamy composition. This will be the delicious filling for the pears. Next, wash a fresh orange, then cut a few small pieces of its peel, being careful to avoid the white part, which is bitter. Finely chop the peel and add it to the ricotta mixture, bringing a note of freshness and a citrus flavor that will balance the sweetness.

Squeeze the juice of half an orange, ensuring you remove any seeds, and add the juice to the cheese mixture, mixing well to integrate the flavors. Now, let's take care of the pears. Wash them well under cold water, then peel them and cut each pear in half. Using a spoon or a knife, carefully remove the core, being careful not to ruin the shape of the pear.

After you have prepared the pears, drizzle them with the orange juice you obtained earlier, to prevent oxidation and add a delicious taste. Now it’s time to fill each half of the pear with the ricotta mixture, being careful not to overflow. Once you have filled all the pears, sprinkle crushed almonds on top, which will add a crunchy texture and an elegant flavor note.

This dessert not only looks wonderful, but also combines the sweet flavors of cheese, fresh citrus, and juicy pears, offering an unforgettable culinary experience. You can serve the prepared pears as an elegant dessert at a special dinner or simply to indulge yourself on an ordinary day. Bon appétit!