Best 7 Fresh Ricotta Cheese Recipes

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Fresh ricotta cheese is a creamy, soft cheese with a mild flavor, a slight sweetness, and a fine, moist texture. It is an ancient cheese with a history dating back centuries and is believed to have originated in Italy. Today, fresh ricotta cheese is produced in many parts of the world and is commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes. It can be used as a spread, a filling, or as a main ingredient in pasta dishes, salads, and desserts. It is also a great source of calcium and protein. If you are looking to make fresh ricotta cheese at home, you will need just a few simple ingredients and some time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GRILLED FLATBREAD WITH RICOTTA CHEESE, FRESH TOMATOES, OREGANO AND ROASTED GARLIC OIL



Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta Cheese, Fresh Tomatoes, Oregano and Roasted Garlic Oil image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     appetizer

Time 5h20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 recipe Flatbread, recipe below
1 (8-ounce) container ricotta cheese, drained
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 plum tomatoes, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chiffonade fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
6 cloves roasted garlic
1 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil, plus more for bowl

Steps:

  • Roasted Garlic Oil:
  • Place oil and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain.
  • Flatbread:
  • Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least an hour.
  • Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.
  • Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread 1 side with ricotta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, scatter tomatoes over, drizzle with Roasted Garlic Oil, and garnish with basil and more freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
  • Yield: 4 individual flatbreads or 1 large flatbread

FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE



Fresh Ricotta Cheese image

Provided by Andrew Carmellini

Categories     Milk/Cream     Lemon     Chill     Simmer     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 1 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

8 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Line colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth; set in sink. Bring milk and salt to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in lemon juice. Let simmer until curds form, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using finely slotted spoon or skimmer, scoop curds from pan and transfer to cheesecloth-lined colander. Let drain 1 minute (curds will still be a little wet). Transfer curds to medium bowl. Cover and chill until cold, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

HOMEMADE FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE



Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese image

This is amazingly simple to make, using just 3 ingredients! And it only takes about 20 minutes to make!!! More delicate than storebought and only 1/2 the price. Use this fluffy cheese for lasagna, cannoli, or simple crostini(with a drizzle of eevo or topped with chopped fresh herbs). There's even a reduced fat version! I found this in the May issue of Good Housekeeping magazine.

Provided by Sharon123

Categories     European

Time 10m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

8 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or lemon, even vinegar works)

Steps:

  • Line a large strainer or colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth. Place lined strainer in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a heavy bottom 4 quart saucepan, heat milk and 1 teaspoons salt to boiling on medium high, stirring occasionally to prevent milk from scorching.
  • Stir in lemon juice; cover and remove from heat.
  • Let stand 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, gently transfer curds from the pan to the lined strainer. Drain 3 minutes. Discard whey in bowl.
  • If not using right away, transfer ricotta to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Reduced Fat Ricotta:.
  • Substitute 4 cups reduced fat milk(2%) for 4 cups of the whole milk, and follow recipe as above.
  • Makes about 2 cups.

HOMEMADE RICH FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE



Homemade Rich Fresh RICOTTA Cheese image

This is delicious and easy - it almost makes itself. Use it wherever ricotta cheese is called for - in pies, in phyllo, in lasagne etc. Sweeten it with honey for a yummy spread. I got this from Molly O'Neill, who wrote the food section in the NYT for many years. Basically you mix the ingredients, cook for a couple of minutes, and then it drains for half an hour. Then it's done.

Provided by Jangomango

Categories     Cheese

Time 12m

Yield 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

12 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups whole-milk yoghurt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 pinch salt
1 pinch nutmeg (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large pan, combine the milk, yoghurt and cream and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
  • Boil for 2 minutes, or until the milk is very curdled.
  • Line a large mesh strainer with a damp kitchen towel or several layers of damp cheesecloth, making sure the cloth extends well over the sides of the strainer.
  • Place the strainer over a deep bowl and pour the milk through the strainer.
  • Drain 30 minutes, making sure the strainer does not rest in the liquid.
  • Gather up the loose ends of the cloth and twist gently to extract more liquid.
  • Transfer the curds to a bowl and stir in the salt and nutmeg.
  • Discard the liquid (whey).
  • The cheese will keep, refrigerated, for 3 days.

POACHED FIGS WITH FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE



Poached Figs with Fresh Ricotta Cheese image

Dried figs are poached in a citrusy syrup and served with a dollop of fresh ricotta and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup good-quality honey
4 strips orange peel (each 3 inches long), plus 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
24 dried Black Mission figs (about 6 ounces)
1 cup, fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • Heat 3 cups water, the sugar, honey, and orange strips and grated zest in a large saute pan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar and honey have dissolved, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add figs; cover, and simmer until figs are just tender, about 20 minutes. Gently transfer figs to a plate with a slotted spoon.
  • Raise heat to medium-high, and bring syrup to a boil. Cook until syrup has reduced and thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Return figs to pan, and gently toss with syrup to coat. Spoon 1/4 cup ricotta into each of 4 bowls. Divide figs among bowls, and drizzle with syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

HOMEMADE FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE



Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese image

Usually if you hear the comment, "That's so cheesy" it really isn't a good thing. That phrase indicates something that is undesirable...tacky...dumb...unappealing...silly... cornball....dated. However, if you're using the phrase to describe a food WITH cheese, that is a whole 'nother matter. If you see someone eating Macaroni...

Provided by cassie thornburg

Categories     Salads

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 c whole milk
2 c heavy cream
1 tsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
cheesecloth and a large sieve

Steps:

  • 1. Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
  • 2. 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).
  • 3. 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.

PENNE PASTA WITH DICED TOMATO AND FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE (OLIVE GARDEN) RECIPE



Penne Pasta with diced tomato and fresh Ricotta cheese (Olive Garden) Recipe image

Provided by Venzie

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 medium fresh ripe tomatoes
8 basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp marjoram, chopped
12 oz penne rigate pasta, cooked according to package directions
1/4 cup Romano cheese, grated
1 large garlic clove, peeled and chopped
Salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes CUT a shallow "X" on the bottom of each tomato. Place tomatoes into boiling water and blanch for 15 seconds. Immediately cool in ice water. REMOVE core, skin and seeds from tomatoes and dice. Place in a bowl and add 1/4 cup of olive oil, chopped basil and chopped garlic. BLEND ricotta cheese with chopped marjoram; season to taste with salt and pepper. TOSS tomato mixture in a hot skillet. When mixture is hot, stir in Ricotta cheese blend. ADD hot, drained pasta to tomato/cheese mixture. Stir to thoroughly blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with Romano cheese and chopped parsley.

Tips:

  • When making ricotta cheese, it's important to use whole milk for the best flavor and texture.
  • Fresh lemon juice can be substituted for vinegar to help the milk curdle.
  • Make sure you don't overcook the milk, or the ricotta cheese will become tough and grainy.
  • Ricotta cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, such as lasagna, ravioli, and cheesecake.
  • Fresh ricotta cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Making fresh ricotta cheese at home is a fun and rewarding experience. It's a great way to use up leftover milk and create a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy homemade ricotta cheese that's sure to impress your friends and family.

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