Best Wolfgang Pucks Homemade Ricotta Recipes

LEMON GRANITA

Steps:

• Clean and wash the lemons. Cut off the top 1/4 of the lemons and shave a small slice off the bottom so it stands easily.
• Using a grapefruit knife, cut out the flesh of the lemon and place in a strainer set over a bowl. Be careful not to cut through the bottom. Stand the lemons on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer and freeze until solid.
• Press the flesh of the lemons through the strainer to extract all of the juice. You should end up with about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice. Add the water to the lemon juice. Stir in sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is of desired sweetness. Add the thyme and limoncello and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Strain the mixture into a roasting pan or baking dish. The dish should be large enough so the liquid is not more than 1-inch deep. Freeze the mixture for 1 hour. Remove from the freezer and scrape with 2 forks to break up ice. Return to the freezer and freeze until solid, about 2 to 3 hours, scraping with forks every hour or so.
• When the granite is frozen, scoop it into the frozen lemon shells and serve immediately.

WOLFGANG PUCK'S HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a nonreactive saucepan, whisk together all the ingredients.
• Over medium heat, slowly bring the mixture to a boil.
• Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn off the heat, stir once, and leave it to settle for 2 minutes.
• Line a colander with a double thickness of cheesecloth.
• Slowly pour the mixture into it and leave it to drain for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese in the cheesecloth is thick.
• Transfer the fresh ricotta into a covered, non-reactive container and refrigerate until needed.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

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.

CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire, pepper flakes, mustard, and anchovies. Slowly whisk in the oils to emulsify. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan and black pepper. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss well. Sprinkle top with croutons.

BACON-WRAPPED MEATLOAF (WOLFGANG PUCK)

Steps:

• In large skillet over medium heat heat olive oil and saute onions until translucent (about 8 minutes).
• Add mushrooms and garlic and cook (medium high heat) 3-5 minutes.
• Stir in cream, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and let cool.
• Mix beef, pork and veal; stir in egg and mix well. Add cream mixture and combine well. It will look a bit too liquid, but it is just fine.
• Position 9" x 5" x 2 1/2" loaf pan with short side facing you. Line bottom and sides of pan with bacon, placing them parallel to the short end, slightly overlaping each other (their ends will hang over the edge).
• Put meat mixture in pan and smooth top. Fold bacon striips over the meat, enclosing it completely.
• Place loaf pan in the center of a roasting pan. Fill roasting pan half way up with boiling water. Cover both pans with aluminum paper.
• Carefully place pans in middle shelf of hot oven (400 F) and bake 1 hour. Remove foil and bake until instant thermometer inserted in center of meatloaf registers 165 F (about 30 minutes more). (at this stage I unmold the meatloaf and bake it uncovered, because I like crispy bacon.).
• Remove pan of meatloaf from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Pour juices from pan into sauceboat.
• Cut loaf into 8 slices, taking care to cut bacon completely. Drizzle with pan juices.