1. Place the chestnuts into a saucepan with the bayleaf and garlic clove and just cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer until soft. Drain and discard the bay leaf.

2. Place the cooked chestnuts into a food processor and puree. Add the eggs, ricotta, egg yolks, parmesan, lemon zest and melted butter. Puree until smooth, and then add the cream and seasoning.

3. Whip the egg whites to soft peak and fold into the chestnut mixture. Place into oiled timbale moulds and cook in a bain marie at 170C for about 40 mins or until the custards are set.

4. When the custards have cooled a little turn them out of their moulds.

To Serve

Place the sformato on to a piece of baking paper, cover with cream and place in an oven at 180C.  Cook until the sformato have coloured and puffed up a little.

The sformato can be used as a garnish for grilled meats or as a dish as a on its own, with grilled mushrooms and a parmesan cream sauce