**Homemade Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: A Creamy and Versatile Delight**
Homemade ricotta cheese is a delectable and versatile ingredient that can elevate a wide range of dishes, from classic Italian pasta to creamy desserts. This simple recipe uses whole milk, an acidifying agent, and a touch of salt to create a rich, smooth, and creamy ricotta cheese that is perfect for spreading, dolloping, or baking. Discover the ease of making ricotta at home and explore the endless culinary possibilities it offers. In addition to the basic ricotta recipe, this article also provides variations for flavored ricotta, such as lemony-herb ricotta, roasted red pepper ricotta, and sweet ricotta with honey and vanilla. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to create delicious homemade ricotta cheese that will impress your family and friends.
EASY AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE
A lovely creamy cheese which is very easy to make! Even my sister who refused to eat the cheese at first ended up loving it! This is a fail-safe recipe in our household, I have made it time and time again. To cheese or not to cheese...that is never the question!
Provided by Alicia_in_London
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pour milk into a saucepan set over medium heat. Heat milk until it registers 194 degrees F (90 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir lemon juice and salt slowly into warmed milk. Let stand until milk curdles, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture carefully into the lined strainer. Let stand until most of the liquid has drained off the ricotta, about 15 minutes. Discard drained liquid.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.1 calories, Carbohydrate 12.6 g, Cholesterol 25.9 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 394.5 mg, Sugar 12 g
HOMEMADE RICOTTA
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 43m
Yield about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
- Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
- Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
Tips:
- Use whole milk for the richest and creamiest ricotta cheese.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice works best for this recipe; bottled lemon juice may not provide the necessary acidity.
- Adding salt to the ricotta cheese is optional; adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a fine-mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter.
- Ricotta cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Ricotta cheese can be used in various dishes like lasagna, ravioli, cheesecakes, and as a spread on toast or crackers.
Conclusion:
Homemade whole milk ricotta cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make your own ricotta cheese at home. It's a great way to save money and get a fresh, high-quality product. So next time you're looking for ricotta cheese, try making it yourself using this easy and delicious recipe.
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