Cocoa Ricotta Food

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA TOAST

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla using a rubber spatula. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the slices of bread on both sides with the olive oil. Grill the bread until golden brown, toasted and crunchy on the outside, about 2 minutes per side. Top each slice with a good amount of the ricotta mixture and spread evenly. Grate the chocolate over the top of the bread, fully coating each slice. Serve with a fork and knife.

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.

WHIPPED CHOCOLATE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine the ricotta cheese, cocoa powder, and sweetner (to taste) in a bowl. Beat or stir together for about 2-4 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips or other add-ins. Eat!

SICILIAN HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large colander or sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth. Set aside.
• Heat milk, buttermilk, heavy cream, and salt in a large, heavy, nonreactive saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for the first 10 minutes. Continue heating, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 190 degrees F. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. The mixture will be separated into white curds and clear whey.
• Using a slotted spoon, ladle approximately 1/4 of the curds into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Gather up the corners of the top cheesecloth and secure closed with a zip tie. Repeat with the rest of the curds, cheesecloth, and zip ties. Use the last zip tie to thread all of the cheeses together. Suspend the cheeses over a large wooden spoon over a large bowl, and let drain for 2 hours.
• Place the four cheeses, still in cloth, in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, cut zip ties, and transfer cheese to an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse ricotta and cocoa powder until completely smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
• Place egg whites, sugar, and pinch of salt in a medium heatproof mixing bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm to the touch, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from heat and, using an electric mixer, beat mixture on high until stiff glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently fold egg-white mixture into ricotta mixture until combined. Divide mousse among 6 glasses or small bowls. Refrigerate until set, 3 hours (or up to 1 day). To serve, lightly dust with cocoa powder, if desired.

COCOA RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place water and cocoa in a microwaveable bowl- microwave until cocoa melts.
• Add ricotta cheese, and sugar substitute, mix.
• Microwave until slightly warm.

RICOTTA CAPPUCCINO

Steps:

• Place the sugar in a food processor. Cut the vanilla bean open lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and place them in the food processor with the sugar. Run the machine to make vanilla sugar.
• Place the ricotta and espresso powder in the food processor. Blend for 1 minute. Stop the machine to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Blend for another minute. Spoon the mixture into 4 small coffee mugs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• To serve, top the ricotta cappuccino with crushed biscotti. Sprinkle with cinnamon and cocoa powder.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND RICOTTA DIP

Steps:

• Combine ricotta, cocoa powder, honey, and almond extract in a bowl. Mix with electric hand mixer or whisk until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Top with mini chocolate chips and almonds.
• Serve with Snack Factory® Original Pretzel Crisps®.

SOUTH BEACH DIET'S MOCHA RICOTTA CREME PHASE I

Steps:

• Mix together the ricotta, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and sugar substitute in a dessert bowl.
• Serve chilled with a dusting of espresso powder and sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Lightly spray 12 standard-sized (2 1/2-inch-diameter) muffin cups with nonstick spray.
• Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, cocoa, and sugar in a medium-sized bowl.
• Place the ricotta in a second medium-sized bowl, and add the eggs one at a time, beating well with a medium-sized whisk after each addition.
• Add the milk and vanilla, and whisk until thoroughly blended.
• Pour the ricotta mixture, along with the melted butter, into the dry ingredients.
• Using a spoon or a rubber spatula, stir from the bottom of the bowl until the dry ingredients are all moistened.
• Fold in the chips, but don't overmix; a few lumps are okay.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
• For smaller muffins, fill the cups about 4/5 of the way.
• For larger muffins, fill them even with the top of the pan.
• If you have extra batter, spray one or two additional muffin cups with nonstick spray and put in as much batter as you have.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for to 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Remove the pan from the oven, then remove the muffins from the pan and place them on a rack to cool.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before serving.

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.

SOUTH BEACH DIET BREAKFAST CREPES WITH RICOTTA COCOA FILLING

Steps:

• For the crepe mix, beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients and beat until well blended.
• Spray a small skillet, crepe or omelette pan with non stick cooking spray.
• Pour the crepe mixture into skillet/pan and cook on medium heat until almost cooked through.
• Meanwhile, combine together the crepe filling ingredients.
• Flip crepe and cook just a bit more; put filling mixture in a line down the middle and roll crepe over top and cook until done.
• *You can also flip this like a pancake and top it with the ricotta filling, rather than rolling it over.
• *Top with sprinkled ground cinnamon, sugar free syrup or a squirt of Redi Whip, optional.