copyright 2024 Art of Living Prima Media Inc/Maria Liberati

With Mother’s Day on the horizon, we embrace the expressive power of food, taking a cue from Expressionist art. Echoing Czech art historian Antonio Matejcek’s sentiment, “An Expressionist wishes above all to express himself,” we craft a gastronomic work of art that conveys our deepest appreciation for mothers everywhere.

Gathered in the cozy confines of our kitchen, we prepare a dessert that’s a symphony of flavors and emotions – the Torta Alla Crema Di Ricotta. More than a mere confection, it’s an ode to the caring hands that have nurtured and comforted us throughout our lives.

Torta Alla Crema Di Ricotta Recipe Servings: 6

For the Crust – Pasta Brisee (Short Pastry):

• 1 and 2/3 cups of flour
• 4 ounces of butter
• 2/3 cup of ice-cold water

For the Filling:

• 8 ounces of ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of sugar (for sprinkling)
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of orange flower water

Method:

1. Pulse flour and chilled butter in a food processor to get a coarse, sandy texture.
2. On a cold surface, quickly work the dough, adding ice water bit by bit until it forms a solid mass.
3. Wrap the dough ball and chill for 40 minutes.
4. Press the dough into an 8-inch pie pan lined with moistened parchment paper.
5. Whisk together eggs, sugar, and orange flower water, then fold in the ricotta cheese until smooth.
6. Fill the pastry shell and bake at 350°F (170°C) for 45 minutes.
7. Finish by sprinkling sugar on top and broiling until golden.

Accompany this affectionate dessert with a bubbly glass of Prosecco, raising a toast to the unwavering love and strength of mothers. This Mother’s Day, let’s sit at the table, exchange tales, share laughter, and enjoy a piece of this exquisite pie, forging cherished memories for a lifetime.

**May 11th at 1:30 PM on WWDB AM 860 in Philadelphia listen to The Maria Liberati Show with special guests giving Mother’s Day recipes from itsbetterwithbutter.com and DIY homemade gifting ideas from hometalk.com and travel author Chris Epting with special places of interest ideas for travel this summer

*Listen to The Maria Liberati Show podcast for more Mother’s Day ideas and recipes, heard anywhere podcasts are heard!

For more recipes to make any day a Holiday get your copy of the Gourmand World Award Winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions-2nd edition available at artoflivingprimamedia.com and on Amazon and Kindle