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Say Cheese! Fresh Ricotta

partysugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:00:07 -0800

One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn more about cheese, and now that it's almost March, I decided I better get on it! Don't worry readers, I'm taking you along for the ride: allow me to introduce my new feature devoted to the wonderful world of cheese. Each week, I'll pick a different type of cheese and use it in a delectable recipe. First up: homemade fresh ricotta. To learn more about this creamy cheese and check out the surprisingly easy recipe, read more.

The word ricotta means "recooked" in Italian, and the fresh cheese is not actually a cheese - it's a whey cheese. Whey is the leftover liquid that separates from the curds when making mozzarella, provolone, romano, etc. The remaining protein-rich byproduct is harvested, made more acidic, and reheated to create ricotta. Ricotta can be made from the whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk, but most American ricotta is a combination of whey and store-bought cow milk. Fresh ricotta has a slightly grainy texture and moist, almost sweet flavor. It's used in both savory (lasagna) and sweet (cheesecake) preparations.

This homemade variation is from the January issue of Bon Appétit. I was shocked when I read the article and saw how simple the recipe is: it only involves three common ingredients. After allowing plenty of time to chill, use in any recipe that calls for ricotta (stay tuned to find out how I used mine!).

Fresh Ricotta
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

8 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
tools: slotted spoon or fine-mesh skimmer, cheesecloth*, medium colander

Directions

Line a medium colander with four layers of cheesecloth. Set the cheesecloth-lined colander in the sink.
Bring the whole milk and salt to a simmer in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium-high heat.
Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Simmer the milk mixture gently until curds form, usually one to two minutes.
Using a slotted spoon or mesh skimmer, transfer the curds to the prepared colander. Let them drain for only a minute.
Transfer the ricotta to a medium bowl. It can be served right away, or covered and chilled up to two days.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

*I forgot to purchase cheesecloth, so instead of using a colander, I used a fine mesh strainer lined with a paper towel - it worked fine!

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Ricotta Slather Is World's Easiest Appetizer

partysugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:30:36 -0700

You can't go wrong with a cheesy baked appetizer dish. They must be prepared in advance, are easy to make, vegetarian friendly, and crowd pleasing. What's not to like about melted cheese?? While baked feta with marinara is one of my favorites, I recently experimented with a ricotta slather. According to the Best Casserole Cookbook Ever, a slather is "something you spread generously on crisp croutons or toasted slices of French bread." This recipes highlights the pure creaminess of ricotta cheese and is studded with garlic, cracked black pepper, and fresh chopped herbs. Although it's incredibly simple and uncomplicated to make, don't be afraid to serve this to guests - it's elegant and delicious. Leftovers make a scrumptious sauce when tossed with cooked pasta. Whether you make your own ricotta or not, you'll need the recipe so read more.

Baked Ricotta Slather With Garlic and Herbs
From The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, rosemary, and thyme
1/4 cup heavy cream
12 slices French bread, toasted or grilled, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°F.
Coat a 1-quart casserole with the olive oil.
In a large bowl, stir the ricotta together with the salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and cream.
Transfer to the casserole. Bake uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the cheese is creamy and hot. Serve with the French bread slices.

Serves 12.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Cheese Tortellini and Broccoli Rabe

partysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:01:18 -0800

Broccoli and cheddar is one of those classic flavor pairings that always works. Whether combined in a salad, sandwich, or soup, broccoli and cheddar cheese is wonderfully comforting and constantly delicious. Tonight serve the dynamic duo in a modern, Italian variation. Substitute the broccoli with broccoli rabe and the cheddar with ricotta. Toss both of these with cheese tortellini for a quick, delectable vegetarian meal. To read the recipe, read more

Cheese Tortellini and Broccoli Rabe
From Hallmark

8 oz. dried, shelf-stable cheese tortellini (or 12 oz. refrigerated or frozen)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch broccoli rabe (1 pound), chopped (6 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

In a large pot of boiling water, cook the tortellini according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and broccoli rabe, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli rabe is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the broccoli rabe mixture to the pasta and toss gently. Stir in the ricotta, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Serves 4.

Each serving has: 463 calories, 23 g fat (7.1 g saturated), 19 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates (2.2 g fiber), 46 mg cholesterol, 679 mg sodium. Good source of: beta-carotene, vitamin C.

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Yummy Link: Three-Cheese Polenta Pie

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:18:31 -0800

If you love the texture of cheesecake, but wish it was savory, then check out this three-cheese polenta pie. The savory ricotta mixture is encased in a polenta crust. - Culinary in the Country

Electric Pink Pasta Is Oh-So-Scrumptious

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:38 -0700

All month long, we've bombarded you with decadent macaroni and cheese recipes. While mac and cheese is delicious and comforting, with an excess of milk and cheese, it's not the healthiest pasta. That's why I thought it was time I share a light and fresh pasta like this rigatoni with ricotta and roasted beets.Don't be alarmed by the vibrant color, the beets stain the pasta pink. It may look unfamiliar, but it tastes earthy and thanks to the ricotta, slightly creamy. Roasted red onions and tons of spinach make this pasta hearty enough to serve as a main course. The alarming yet fun color would please the palate of children, especially around Halloween. To check out the recipe, read more.

Rigatoni With Ricotta and Roasted Beets
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

4 beets (about 3/4 pound), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound rigatoni pasta
5 cups baby spinach (about 8 ounces)
1 cup ricotta cheese
Grated peel from 1 lemon, plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°.
On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly with foil and roast for 15 minutes.
Unwrap, then arrange the beets in a single layer.
In a small bowl, toss the onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper; arrange on the baking sheet. Roast, tossing halfway through, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente.
Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the spinach.
In a bowl, whisk the ricotta, reserved pasta water, lemon peel, lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add to the pasta along with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper; toss.

Serves 4.

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Monday's Leftovers: Pasta With Lamb and Tomato Ragu

YumSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:50:01 -0700

Pappardelle with a tomato ragu sounds typical enough - until you jazz it up with the addition of leftover ground lamb, shallots, and parsley. Not only does it make for a seemingly effortless yet sophisticated Monday night dinner, but it's also a great way to introduce other family members and friends to the rich and slightly gamey flavors of lamb. Top it off with some mild ricotta salata or feta cheese, and you've got a very memorable meal. See the recipe when you keep on reading.

Why Do Some Cheeses Melt Better Than Others?

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:50:40 -0700

Ah, the joys of melted cheese. There are few things in life that are so pleasurable. Yet why do certain cheeses melt uniformly, while others don't? How come a few won't melt at all?

Several factors play a part in the melting process. One is fat content: the more fat a cheese contains, the more a cheese's casein molecules are able to separate, and the better it will melt. For this reason, lowfat and fat-free cheeses tend to melt into a rubbery consistency. The water level in a cheese also determines how it will melt. A cheese such as Parmesan is hard due to its low moisture level. Its dense molecular makeup means its molecules, even when melted, have relatively little room to flow - which is why Parmesan, unlike brie, will never get runny when it's melted.

A handful of cheeses - among them, fresh goat cheese, paneer, queso blanco, and ricotta - will never melt at all. Unlike most cheeses, which are curdled with rennet, these are curdled with acid. Cheese made with rennet retains a malleable structure, while acid alters cheese proteins by causing them to clump together.

Got a burning question? Contact us.

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Food Review: Rising Moon Organics - Vegan Stuffed Shells

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

I'm a big fan of Italian foods like baked ziti, lasagna, and stuffed shells. The only problem is the ricotta and other cheeses make them high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol. When I came across a healthier version of stuffed shells by Rising Moon Organics, my interest was piqued. Made with primacotta soy ricotta, these shells are completely vegan.

To find out how they compared with the real deal after the jump when you read more.

I really wanted to love this dairy- and cholesterol-free frozen meal, but truthfully, it lacked flavor. The consistency of the soy filling was a little smoother and spongier than real ricotta, but I didn't mind that. It was the fact that these shells just tasted "blah." The tomato sauce was sweet, but had this odd slightly smokey aroma and taste.

Just to see how much healthier these vegan stuffed shells were, I compared them to nonvegan ones made by Amy's Kitchen. Now I don't feel so bad about choosing the ricotta-filled shells. Although Rising Moon Organics Shells have less saturated fat and cholesterol, they also have more calories, more carbs, and less protein than Amy's Kitchen shells. The choice is obvious for me. I'll go for real cheese and real flavor, but if you're avoiding dairy, give these vegan shells a whirl.

Serving Size: (3 stuffed shells)
Calories	370	310
Total Fat	10 g	13 g
Saturated Fat	1.5 g	7 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	30 g
Sodium	470 mg	740 mg
Carbs	54 g	30 g
Fiber	6 g	5 g
Sugar	4 g	7 g
Protein	16 g	19 g

Kraft's Orange Slices Get Singled Out

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:50:40 -0700

You may be impossibly in love with ricotta, feta, and manchego, but Kraft Foods is hoping you'll give its signature orange slices another chance. According to Advertising Age, the food company has begun a major push for Kraft Singles, its synthetic-cheese line of American, Swiss, and Cheddar cheese slices. Although the brand's natural cheese sales have declined amid the recession, processed cheeses such as Velveeta and Kraft Singles have helped to lift the segment's sluggish sales numbers. As a result, Kraft will continue to focus on marketing its Singles products with a grassroots promotion.

For its National Grilled Cheese Month Sweepstakes, Kraft has launched an ad hoc website that encourages consumers to write short essays about why they love Kraft Singles, so they can be entered into a weekly drawing for free packages of Kraft Singles.

Kraft is also backing the Seventh Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational. Organizers of the world's largest grilled cheese competition, which takes place in Los Angeles later this month, expect to turn out 5,000 grilled cheese sandwiches.

I don't know about you, but I've always felt that tough times foster cravings for less than wholesome yet insanely delicious childhood favorites. Kraft Singles have a particularly special place in my heart, so there's no doubt that within the next thirty seconds I will be professing my love for them on IHeartGrilledCheese.com. How do you feel about Kraft Singles? Do you think this promotion will catch on?

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Come Party With Me: Farmers Market Feast - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:30:12 -0700

No meal inspired by the farmers market is complete without a juicy fruit dessert. Since strawberries are at their peak now, take advantage of their natural sweetness and incorporate them into a light treat.

The recipe shown here is an updated version of strawberry shortcake. A quick, lemony shortbread stands in for the traditional biscuit, while a fluffy ricotta cheese replaces the heavy whipping cream. This dessert is a welcome conclusion to any backyard dinner, so check out the recipe and read more.

Strawberries with Sweet Ricotta and Lemon Shortbread
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced (about 3 cups)
½ cup plus 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
Coarse sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°.
In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar.
In another bowl, mix the ricotta with 1½ tablespoons of the sugar.
In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the butter, the remaining 1/4 cup of the sugar, the lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Add the flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing as you go, until a dough forms. (It will be crumbly but should stick together.)
Transfer the dough to an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan and press it into an even layer. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and prick all over with a fork, making sure to poke all the way through. With the handle of the fork, score the dough into 8 equal rectangles.
Bake the shortbread until the edges are browned and the middle is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the shortbread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes (it will darken slightly), then cut along the scored lines while the shortbread is still warm. Transfer the pieces to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Divide the ricotta equally among 8 shallow bowls, then top with the strawberries and their juices and a piece of shortbread.

Serves 8.

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