Best Fresh Ricotta Recipes

FRESH BERRIES & SWEET RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the Homemade Ricotta in a medium bowl and stir in the sugar, honey, and vanilla. Set aside at room temperature for up to 2 hours. In another bowl, combine the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
• When ready to serve, divide the berries among 6 bowls. With an ice cream scoop, place a large dollop of the ricotta in each bowl and drizzle with lots of the Fresh Raspberry Sauce. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and serve.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one 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 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.
• Place the raspberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and the framboise into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until smooth. Pour into a container and chill. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.

ROASTED FIGS WITH FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the figs, cut side up, in a baking dish. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, and whisk in the honey, cinnamon and salt. Drizzle the hot honey butter over the figs and roast in oven until very soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Divide the fresh ricotta or fat free yogurt among 4 serving dishes and top with the warm figs and sauce. Enjoy!
• Cook's Note: These hot figs are really great over mixed greens or even on a toasted baguette as a crostini!

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH LEMON CURD AND FRESH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat a nonstick griddle.
• Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk together the cheese, eggs, milk, lemon juice and zest in a large bowl. Whisk the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Brush the hot griddle with butter. For each pancake, pour approximately 1/4 cup measure of the batter on the griddle and cook on both sides until light golden brown. Repeat until no batter remains.
• Empty the contents of the lemon curd into a small saucepan and warm over low heat. Alternatively, remove the lid and place in a microwave oven on 50 percent power for 2 minutes, stopping after 1 minute to stir the curd. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the curd over the pancakes, top with fresh raspberries, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

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

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

FETTUCCINE WITH SHREDDED ZUCCHINI, FRESH RICOTTA, AND LEMON ZEST

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water over high heat. When the water is at a rolling boil, add a big pinch of salt, drop in the fettucine, and stir. Cook the pasta, stirring from time to time, according to package directions for al dente, usually about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1 minute. Add the lemon zest and cook for 30 seconds longer. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the zucchini, and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove and reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and quickly toss with the zucchini, parsley, and mint. Spoon on the ricotta and toss lightly again, add small amounts of the cooking water to lighten the cheese to the consistency you like, and serve.

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain, 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, Parmesan and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside.
• Once the water has boiled, add the cavatelli and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic, then add the sliced asparagus and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining asparagus juice and the remaining tablespoon lemon juice and cook until the pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper.

SOFT SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND CHIVES

Steps:

• Whisk eggs, chopped chives, and 1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel in medium bowl until well blended. Melt butter in heavy medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. When foam subsides, add eggs and stir with heatproof silicone spatula until eggs are almost cooked but still runny in parts, tilting skillet and stirring with spatula to allow uncooked portion to flow underneath, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add ricotta and stir just until incorporated but clumps of cheese are still visible.
• Arrange 2 toasts or 4 baguette slices on each of 2 plates. Spoon scrambled eggs atop toasts. Sprinkle with more fleur de sel and pepper. Garnish with whole chives, if desired.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.

LEMON RICOTTA FRITTERS WITH FRESH BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Heat 2-inches vegetable oil in a large, wide, heavy saucepan until it registers 370 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, zest, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together the ricotta cheese, eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla in another bowl, then whisk into the flour mixture. Working in batches, gently drop in tablespoons of batter and fry, turning occasionally, until deep golden, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Dust generously with confectioners' sugar, garnish with lemon zest and serve with Quick Berry Jam.
• Combine the berries and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a bowl and coarsely mash with a potato masher. Let the berries sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the berries to release some of their juice. Taste for desired sweetness and add remaining sugar if necessary. Transfer berries to a medium saucepan, add lemon juice and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled or serve immediately: transfer to a bowl and set the bowl over an ice bath, stirring until jam is cooled.

RICOTTA PIZZA WITH FRESH AND ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Combine ricotta and Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and stir in egg. On a baking sheet, drizzle pizza dough with 2 tablespoons oil and stretch or roll into a 16-inch-long oval. Spread ricotta mixture on dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, toss cherry tomatoes with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake cherry tomatoes on bottom rack and pizza on top rack until tomatoes are soft and skins have burst, 15 minutes. Remove tomatoes and bake pizza until crust is deep golden brown, about 8 minutes more. Toss cherry tomatoes with sliced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Transfer pizza to a cutting board and top with tomato mixture and oregano.

FRESH HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line a large sieve with a layer of heavy-duty (fine-mesh) cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
• Slowly bring milk, cream, and salt to a rolling boil in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add lemon juice, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture curdles, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the lined sieve and let it drain 1 hour. After discarding the liquid, chill the ricotta, covered; it will keep in the refrigerator 2 days.

FRESH BERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Purée strawberries with apple juice in a blender until smooth. Spoon equal amounts of berry sauce into 4 cocktail or parfait glasses. Combine ricotta cream ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Spoon 1/4 of the ricotta cream into each glass and top with 1/4 cup strawberry slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish each with a mint sprig and an edible flower, if desired, before serving.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND GRILLED TOMATO-BASIL RELISH

Steps:

• Heat your grill to high.
• Place the tomatoes in a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place tomatoes on the grill and grill until charred on all sides, and just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and coarsely chop.
• Put the chopped tomatoes in a bowl, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, onion, vinegar and basil and gently mix until combined. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Can be made 4 hours in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Brush eggplant slices on both sides with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill and grill until golden brown and slighty charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn over and continue grilling until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir together the ricotta and parsley in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Place the grilled eggplant on a large platter and top each slice with a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta and a heaping tablespoon of the tomato relish.

FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line a colander with a quadruple layer of cheesecloth and set it over a bowl.
• In a large pot over medium-high heat, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Bring to a simmer and heat until the mixture just begins to curdle. Pour mixture into colander. (For a drier ricotta with bigger curds, continue to simmer 1 to 2 minutes longer until mixture completely separates.)
• Stop draining when mixture begins to look like ricotta, 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how dry you like it. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to two weeks.

FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine milk, cream, and salt in a 4- to 5-quart pot, and warm mixture over medium-high heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent scorching, until mixture registers 195 degrees on a candy thermometer. It should take about 15 minutes.
• Add lemon juice, gently stirring until just combined. Remove pot from heat and let stand 5 minutes. The combination of the acid and the residual heat in the mixture will cause it to coagulate, or curdle -- separating into a soft mass (curds) and a cloudy liquid (whey).
• After lining a mesh colander with a triple layer of cheesecloth and placing it inside a deeper, slightly larger bowl, gently pour curds and whey into colander. Let mixture stand, pouring off whey occasionally, until most of whey has drained from still-wet curds, 20 minutes.
• Gather up ricotta in cheesecloth and turn it out into a bowl. Serve within a few hours, or refrigerate up to 4 days. For a denser ricotta, which can be preferable for baking, hang it to drain for another hour. Repurpose whey or discard it.

CROSTINI OF FAVA BEAN PUREE, FRESH RICOTTA, AND MOREL MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a pastry brush, brush a cookie sheet with oil. Place the sliced pieces of baguette on the cookie sheet and lightly brush each piece with oil. Bake until golden brown, approximately 6 minutes.
• With a mortar-and-pestle or a food processor, puree the fava beans with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a skillet on high heat, saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons olive oil and shallots until tender. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Spread a spoonful of the fava puree on each slice of baguette and then top with a small amount ricotta then garnish with a piece of cooked morel.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Stir together the tomatoes, shallot, vinegar, chile flakes, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon basil and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Set aside to marinate, stirring the tomatoes every 10 minutes, while you prepare the spaghetti squash.
• Carefully slice off the top and bottom of the squash, trimming just enough so that the inner flesh of the squash is exposed. Use a sharp paring knife to poke ten to twelve 1/2-inch-deep slits all over the squash. Put the squash in to a medium glass heatproof bowl and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Carefully flip the squash over and microwave on high until a fork easily pierces through the flesh that is exposed on the squash, about 5 additional minutes.
• Allow the squash to cool enough so that you can handle it, then split it in half length-wise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Then use a fork to loosen the squash strands and transfer them to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Use your hands to gently work the oil and salt into the squash. Transfer the squash to a serving platter and pour the tomato mixture over the top (along with all of its juices). Top with spoonfuls of the ricotta and garnish with the remaining basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SOFT SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH PESTO AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Over medium-high heat, melt butter in a medium-size skillet, preferably well-seasoned cast iron or nonstick.
• Beat eggs with salt, pepper and, if using, Parmesan cheese. Pour eggs into pan, swirl and turn heat to low. Using a heat-proof rubber spatula, stir eggs constantly until very loosely set and slightly runnier than you like them.
• Remove pan from heat and drizzle pesto on eggs. Off heat, give eggs one more gentle stir -- enough to finish cooking them and to distribute pesto in dark green streaks. Scatter ricotta on eggs and drizzle with more pesto if desired. Serve at once.

FRESH HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a colander with moistened cheese-cloth and set it over a large bowl.
• In a large saucepan, bring the milk to a gentle boil. Add 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice and cook over low heat; stirring gently, until curds form and rise to the surface, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes; the curds will firm up slightly.
• Using a slotted spoon with small holes, gently scoop the curds into the colander; discard the liquid. Let the ricotta drain for 15 minutes, then gently lift the cheesecloth to flip the curd and let drain for 15 minutes longer. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl and season with salt.
• Ricotta can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Serving suggestion: Spread ricotta on toasted baguette slices, top with radish slices and chopped arugula.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Line a plate with a clean kitchen towel or a layer of 2 to 3 paper towels. Spread the the ricotta on the towel in a thin, even layer with a rubber spatula; this will help remove any excess moisture from the ricotta. Fold the edges of the towel over the ricotta, lightly press down and set aside to drain, about 15 minutes.
• Finely chop 1/2 cup of the basil leaves and 1/2 cup of the mint leaves, reserving the remaining leaves for garnish.
• In a large bowl, mix the chopped basil and mint, drained ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, 1/4 cup of the chives, 2 teaspoons salt and a healthy crack of black pepper with a rubber spatula until smooth and well-combined. Add the flour in 4 parts (1/4 cup at a time), delicately folding with the spatula between each addition to make sure the gnocchi dough remains light and fluffy.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with flour. Set aside.
• Dust a clean counter or cutting board with flour. Scoop the dough out of the bowl and onto the floured surface, dust with more flour and use your hands to form into a thick ball. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-inch-long and 1/2-inch-thick snake. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and place on the prepared baking sheet until ready to cook.
• In a large skillet, bring the tomato sauce to a simmer over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low to keep warm.
• Season the boiling water heavily with salt. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer the gnocchi directly to the sauce using a slotted spoon or spider, add 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and delicately toss together until warmed through, taking care to not break the gnocchi.
• To plate, divide the gnocchi and sauce among 6 shallow bowls and top with Parmesan, the reserved basil and mint, the remaining 1/4 cup chives and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

HOMEMADE FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE

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.