Strawberry and Ricotta Gratin

1 1/2 cups Piacci Ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 vanilla beans, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 whole eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 pints fresh strawberries, trimmed and quartered

Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth. Set over a bowl. Place ricotta in the sieve and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Remove the ricotta from the refrigerator and discard the liquid. Whip the ricotta. Set aside.

Bring the milk, sugar, vanilla beans and cornstarch to a boil. Simmer the mixture, stirring, until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat. Remove the vanilla beans and discard. Whisk in the egg yolks.

In a deep, narrow bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, whip the cream until stiff. Fold the egg whites, cream and ricotta into the milk mixture.

Divide the strawberries among twelve small, shallow gratin baking dishes.

Pour equal amounts of the custard mixture into each dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and heat the broiler; then place the dishes under the broiler until the gratins begin to brown. Remove and serve immediately.