Best Ricotta Cream Recipes

LEMON-RICOTTA WAFFLES WITH RASPBERRY-MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high heat.
• Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a large bowl and whisk to combine. In a separate medium bowl, add the half-and-half, ricotta, butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla and egg and whisk to combine. Add the ricotta mixture to the flour mixture and whisk to combine.
• Spray the preheated waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and spoon about 3/4 cup of batter into the waffle iron. Cook until the waffle is golden brown and lightly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes (or according to manufacturer's instructions). Repeat with remaining batter.
• To serve the waffles: top each waffle with a dollop of Raspberry-Mascarpone Whipped Cream, berries and maple syrup.
• Add the heavy cream, mascarpone and raspberry jam to a large bowl. Whip on medium-high speed with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.

CANNOLI SHELLS AND RICOTTA CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• Three or more days in advance of making the cannoli shells set the ricotta in a colander inside of a large bowl.
• Scrape the ricotta into the colander and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator for two days, until it is dry.
• To make the dough for cannoli shells: In a small bowl put eggs.
• Beat eggs; add vanilla and ice water to eggs.
• In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the flour, sugar, salt, cocoa, and cinnamon.
• Add the shortening and mix until crumbly.
• Make well in dry mixture and add wet mixture.
• Using your hands mix together, if it is dry, add more ice water.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and well blended, about 3 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a flattened ball.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
• Cut the dough into 4 pieces.
• Starting at the middle setting, run one of the pieces of dough through the rollers of a pasta machine or the dough can be rolled on a board with a rolling pin.
• Lightly dust the dough with flour as needed to keep the pieces from sticking.
• Continue to pass the dough through the machine until you reach the last or second to last setting.
• You might need to run the dough through the pasta machine three times.
• The dough needs to be thin-about the same thickness as construction paper; cut the dough into 4 1/2 inch circles. (Giovanna's cannoli tubes are 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.).
• Continue rolling out the remaining dough.
• If you do not have enough cannoli tubes for all of the dough, lay the pieces of dough on sheets of plastic wrap and keep them covered until you are ready to use them.
• Put a rack in the bottom of a large heavy kettle that you plan on putting your peanut oil into so that your cannoli shells do not touch the bottom and burn. (Giovanna uses a restaurant kettle that is about 18 inches in diameter.).
• Pour about 2 inches of oil in a smaller kettle. Giovanna used 4 quarts but her kettle is huge!
• Heat oil until a deep frying thermometer shows 375 degrees.
• Oil the cannoli tubes by placing them in the hot oil then draining them in a metal bowl (you need the oil on the tube so that later the cannoli shell will slip off easily).
• Lay the dough circle flat, center the tube on it, bring left edge onto tube, dab it with egg white, bring up right side of dough circle, dab it with egg white, and roll the tube; do not press the dough. You do not want the dough to be too tight on the tube, or you will have difficulty later getting your cannoli off. Be careful not to stretch the dough or pull it tightly. Avoid, as best as possible, getting egg white on the tube, or the cannoli will stick to it.
• Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Carefully lower a few of the cannoli tubes into the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan.
• Fry the shells until golden, about 2 minutes, turning them so that they brown evenly.
• With tongs, remove the cannoli tubes, holding them straight up so that the oil flows back into the pan.
• Then drain the cannoli still on tube briefly in a metal bowl.
• While the cannoli shells are still hot, carefully slide the shells off the tubes by grasping each tube with a clean towel and gently twisting the cannoli shell off the tube with your other hand protected by an oven mitt or towel. On another work surface area, lay oilcloth or newspaper, topped with a large rack.
• When the cannoli shells are barely warm set them on top of the rack.
• It is important that the shells stay on the racks overnight.
• Repeat with the remaining dough.
• If you are reusing the cannoli tubes, let them cool before wrapping them in the dough; set aside.
• The cannoli shells can be made up to 2 months before serving if you drain them properly overnight, and store them in sealed containers in a cool, dry place, but not in a refrigerator.
• To make the ricotta cream, put the thoroughly dry ricotta in a large mixing bowl with a wire whip and blend until creamy.
• Add the confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon oil; blend until smooth.
• Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chocolate pieces. Store the ricotta cream in the refrigerator for 48 hours. After 48 hours, serve and freeze the rest.
• Frozen ricotta cream can be defrosted in the refrigerator later.
• To assemble, use a knife to push the ricotta cream into the cannoli shell.
• Place the cannoli on a serving platter and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• Use within an hour.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Put the ricotta cheese, honey and vanilla extract into the small bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• In a small saucepan combine the vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, toss the berries with the basil and the balsamic syrup.
• Divide the cream among 4 cocktail glasses, top with the berry mixture and serve.
• Excellent source of: Vitamin C, Manganese
• Good source of: Protein, Vitamin K, Calcium, Phosphorus, Selenium

WAFFLES WITH BLUEBERRY COMPOTE AND LEMON RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Make the ricotta cream: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and whisk until light and fluffy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
• Make the compote: In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup water and the honey and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, add the lemon juice and let cool at least slightly.
• Make the waffles: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F; set a rack on a baking sheet and put in the oven.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, eggs and lemon zest. Add the flour mixture and mix just until the batter is combined. Let rest for 15 minutes.
• Heat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions; coat with nonstick spray. Pour the batter onto the iron (the amount depends on the size of the iron), leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides. Close the iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to the rack in the oven to keep warm; repeat with the remaining batter.
• To serve, top the waffles with the blueberry compote and ricotta cream. Garnish with lemon zest.

FLUFFY BANANA PANCAKES WITH CARAMEL PECAN SAUCE AND RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Caramel Pecan Sauce: In a small non-stick saucepan, melt caramel pieces gently with the cream, stirring occasionally until smooth and blended.
• Add pecans and flaked coconut (and rum or brandy if desired), stir to combine with sauce, then remove from heat.
• Serve warm over pancakes.
• Can be prepared the night before, then heated in the microwave until warm.
• Ricotta Cream: Place ricotta cheese, confectioners sugar, orange juice and orange zest in a bowl.
• Beat with a whisk until well combined.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Can be prepared the night before.
• Fluffy Banana Pancakes: Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl.
• Place buttermilk in a 2-cup glass-measuring cup and add butter.
• Microwave on high for 2 minutes, until butter melts.
• Lightly beat yolks, then combine with the buttermilk and butter mixture, whisking to incorporate.
• Then add vanilla essence and caster sugar (superfine sugar) and stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Add buttermilk mixture to the flour, and whisk together until batter becomes thick and smooth.
• Batter can be prepared to this stage, the night before.
• Beat egg whites in a clean dry bowl until stiff.
• Fold whites carefully into batter until evenly mixed (and the sliced bananas can be added at this stage, too, if you wish - otherwise, see step 20).
• Heat a 6-inch diameter fry pan or skillet and brush lightly with melted butter, or spray with vegetable oil.
• For each pancake, pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup batter into pan, and swirl around quickly to distribute evenly over bottom of pan.
• Cook until bubbles begin to appear on the surface, then lay some banana slices over the top.
• When pancakes are lightly browned on the bottom (about two minutes), flip over and cook other side.
• When cooked through, transfer pancake to a baking tray and keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest of the batter (Each pancake should take about two minutes per side).
• To serve, drizzle warm caramel pecan sauce over each pancake, and top with a generous dollop or two of ricotta cream.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE RICOTTA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the first 7 ingredients in a blender; cover and process until combined, about 1 minute. Add cream and cooled melted chocolate; cover and process until slightly thickened, 30 seconds., Fill cylinder of ice cream maker no more than two-thirds full; freeze according to manufacturer's directions, adding dark chocolate during the last 5 minutes of processing in proportion to the amount of the mixture in the cylinder. Refrigerate any remaining mixture until ready to freeze., Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze until firm, 2-4 hours.

RICOTTA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Add the heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a food processor. Process until stiff peaks form, for about a minute and a half, making sure to not overwhip, as it will be harder to mix later. Transfer the whipped cream to a bowl.
• Return the food processor bowl to the base (no need to clean). Add the ricotta, sweetened condensed milk, orange zest, vanilla caviar and salt, if using. Process until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, add the ricotta mixture to the bowl of whipped cream and fold in gently. Transfer to a freezeproof container with a lid and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.
• Serve topped with a few raspberries and the chopped pistachios.

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.

RICOTTA AND CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM CONES

Steps:

• For the Ricotta and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: In a medium bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese and milk until smooth. Add the simple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Pour the ricotta mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Add the chocolate chips 10 minutes before the end of freezing.
• For the Sugar Cones: Stand 3 sugar cones in each of the 4 glass tumblers. Mix the chocolate-hazelnut spread and chocolate chips together in a small bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the pan does not touch the water. Stir until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth. Spoon 2 teaspoons of chocolate mixture into each sugar cone. Place the glasses in the freezer for 10 to15 minutes until the chocolate becomes firm.
• To serve: Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop, place 1 scoop of ice cream on top of each sugar cone. Serve immediately.
• In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate until the 'dough' holds the shape of a ball when rolled between your hands, at least 1 hour.
• On a lightly floured surface roll the dough into long strips and pinch off 1-inch pieces (the same size as regular gnocchi). Work fast or your dough will start to become super tough to work with! Put the gnocchi on a plate and put back into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• While the gnocchi is resting, make the pesto sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a blender and pulsing until combined. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over medium heat on the stovetop. Drop in the gnocchi, a few at a time, and watch for them to rise to the surface of the pot. After 1 minute at the top of the pot, about 3 minutes total, remove them with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl. Top with the pesto cream sauce and a dash of cracked pepper and serve.

BERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat ricotta, cream and honey until combined. Divide berries among 6 dessert dishes. Top with cream and hazelnuts. Refrigerate until serving.

CROSTATA WITH LEMON CUSTARD AND WHIPPED RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, sugar, egg, baking powder, and vanilla extract in a food processor. Blend ingredients until dough starts sticking together and forms one piece.
• Wrap crostata dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove dough from the refrigerator. Roll out dough using a lightly floured rolling pin on a work surface, or flatten it directly onto a baking sheet using your fingers, to form crostata shell. Pierce shell with a fork to prevent air bubbles during baking.
• Bake in the preheated oven until sides are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove crostata from the oven and set aside to cool.
• While crostata cools, pour lemon juice into a heavy saucepan through a sieve and stir in 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Heat mixture over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Beat remaining sugar, eggs, and flour together in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer or a whisk until white and airy in texture.
• Pour warm lemon juice mixture into egg mixture slowly, whisking constantly. Pour custard mixture back into the saucepan.
• Heat custard mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and continue to mix until the uneven texture becomes smooth, about 1 minute. Add butter gradually to custard 1 piece at a time, stirring constantly, until smooth. Let custard cool to room temperature.
• While custard cools, combine ricotta cheese, whipping cream, confectioners' sugar, and lemon zest in a food processor. Blend until mixture is uniform and smooth in texture, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer ricotta cream to a bowl.
• Place lemon custard and ricotta cream in the refrigerator to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Remove custard and cream from the refrigerator. Spread lemon custard evenly on cooled crostata crust. Spread ricotta cream on top of lemon custard. Decorate with raspberries. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

RASPBERRY-RICOTTA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Puree ricotta, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir in cream. Freeze in ice cream maker, then mix in berries. Transfer to a container and freeze until firm.

LEMON, RICOTTA AND SOUR CREAM PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together ricotta, sour cream, butter, vanilla, milk, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest until completely homogenized.
• Sift flour and baking powder on top and blend completely.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks and gently fold into batter – the batter should be just thin enough to pour- if too thick, add more milk.
• Pour by ¼ cups onto prepared 375 degree griddle and cook 2-3 minutes on first side, then flip and cook 1-2 minutes more, or to your liking.

ITALIAN CREAM CHEESE AND RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• Mix the cream cheese and ricotta cheese together in a mixing bowl until well combined. Stir in the sugar, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, cornstarch, flour, and butter. Add the sour cream last and stir. Pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven 1 hour; turn oven off and leave in oven 1 hour more. Allow to cool completely in refrigerator before serving.

GRILLED NECTARINES WITH HONEY-ORANGE RICOTTA WHIPPED CREAM AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, cream, honey, orange zest and vanilla seeds until light and fluffy. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Heat the grill to high. Brush the nectarines with oil and put on grill for a few minutes on each side, just to soften and heat through.
• Put some of the ricotta onto each serving plate. Top with nectarines and garnish with toasted sliced almonds and mint sprigs.

LEMON, RICOTTA AND SOUR CREAM PANCAKES (LIGHT VERSION)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, regular tub margarine, vanilla, buttermilk, sugar, cinnamon, salt, lemon zest, and one whole egg until incorporated.
• In a mixer fitted with a whip attachment, beat four egg whites to stiff peaks.
• Sift flour and baking powder into the bowl of ricotta and other wet ingredients, and stir until barely combined.
• In several batches, gently fold egg whites into the batter (do not re-stir the batter again after this, or it will deflate).
• Ladle approximately ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto prepared griddle. Cook until bottom is golden brown and bubbles start to form. Flip and cook second side until done.
• We love these topped with lemon curd, but you could also try them with maple syrup.

CREAM CHEESE AND RICOTTA-STUFFED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Mix cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and pine nuts together in a bowl. Stir in sauteed onions and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; saute until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add cognac; cook until liquid is reduced and mushrooms are nicely glazed, about 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine bread crumbs and almonds in a shallow dish.
• Pound pork chops flat with a meat tenderizer until about 1 1/2 inch thick. Place a spoonful of cheese mixture onto the center of each pork chop; add a small spoonful of mushrooms. Roll pork chops to seal; place into almond-bread crumb mixture and coat completely.
• Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add pork chops; season with salt, pepper, parsley, and garlic salt. Cook until lightly browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Move skillet to oven.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

FLUFFY BANANA PANCAKES WITH CARAMEL PECAN SAUCE AND RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Caramel Pecan Sauce: In a small non-stick saucepan, melt caramel pieces gently with the cream, stirring occasionally until smooth and blended.
• Add pecans and flaked coconut (and rum or brandy if desired), stir to combine with sauce, then remove from heat.
• Serve warm over pancakes.
• Can be prepared the night before, then heated in the microwave until warm.
• Ricotta Cream: Place ricotta cheese, confectioners sugar, orange juice and orange zest in a bowl.
• Beat with a whisk until well combined.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Can be prepared the night before.
• Fluffy Banana Pancakes: Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl.
• Place buttermilk in a 2-cup glass-measuring cup and add butter.
• Microwave on high for 2 minutes, until butter melts.
• Lightly beat yolks, then combine with the buttermilk and butter mixture, whisking to incorporate.
• Then add vanilla essence and caster sugar (superfine sugar) and stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Add buttermilk mixture to the flour, and whisk together until batter becomes thick and smooth.
• Batter can be prepared to this stage, the night before.
• Beat egg whites in a clean dry bowl until stiff.
• Fold whites carefully into batter until evenly mixed (and the sliced bananas can be added at this stage, too, if you wish - otherwise, see step 20).
• Heat a 6-inch diameter fry pan or skillet and brush lightly with melted butter, or spray with vegetable oil.
• For each pancake, pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup batter into pan, and swirl around quickly to distribute evenly over bottom of pan.
• Cook until bubbles begin to appear on the surface, then lay some banana slices over the top.
• When pancakes are lightly browned on the bottom (about two minutes), flip over and cook other side.
• When cooked through, transfer pancake to a baking tray and keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest of the batter (Each pancake should take about two minutes per side).
• To serve, drizzle warm caramel pecan sauce over each pancake, and top with a generous dollop or two of ricotta cream.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Process cheese in food processor for 1 minute.
• Add honey, cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon.
• Process until smooth and creamy.
• Spoon into 6 wine glasses and garnish with almonds.