Creamy Ricotta Cheese Homemade Food

CREAMY RICOTTA CHEESE (HOMEMADE)

Steps:

• Combine the milk and cream in a pot over medium high heat. Using an instant-read thermometer, warm the milk until it reaches 185 degrees (the surface will become foamy).
• DO NOT LET THE MILK BOIL.
• Remove the pot from the heat and add the vinegar. Stir gently for 30 seconds (the mixture will curdle almost immediately).
• Add salt and stir another 30 seconds. Cover the pot with a towel and let stand at room temp for about 2 hours.
• Line a large colander with a few layers of cheesecloth (allow for some overhang). Set the colander over a large bowl or over the sink.
• Transfer the curds to the colander with a slotted spoon.
• Gather up the corners of the cheesecloth and secure with twine or a rubber band.
• Let the ricotta stand for about 30 minutes, occasionally gently pressing and squeezing the whey out of the cheesecloth.
• Transfer the ricotta to a bowl or use immediately.

HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for low, even heat. If using a charcoal grill, distribute the coals evenly. If using a gas grill, heat both sides.
• Slowly heat the milk/cream over low heat to 86 degrees F. Remove from the heat. Mix in the starter packet, mixing for no more than 15 seconds. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours.
• The next day: Ladle the solids into a cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a mixing bowl. Gather up the cheesecloth to cover the surface and refrigerate overnight, allowing the cheese to drain and firm up.
• The next day, pick up the cheesecloth and pour the cream cheese into a mixing bowl. Season with salt and stir to combine. (If you'd like a firmer cheese, continue to press.)

CANNOLI CUPCAKES WITH RICOTTA AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line muffin pans with paper liners.
• Sift the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt into a large bowl.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the buttermilk, oil, vanilla and eggs. Slowly add the sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the orange zest.
• For the cheesecake: In the bowl of an electric mixer, place the cream cheese and beat until smooth and creamy. Add the ricotta and granulated sugar and beat until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the cornstarch. Add the eggs one at a time and beat in. Add the mini chocolate chips and vanilla until everything is beaten in smoothly.
• For the crust: In small bowl, combine the pistachios, butter and granulated sugar.
• To assemble: Put 2 teaspoons of the pistachio crust into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Pour a heaping 1/4 cup batter over the top of the crust. Put the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag and fill up the rest of the cupcake liner until it is a little past three-quarters full. Bake, 17 to 19 minutes. When cool enough to handle, transfer the cupcakes to a sheet pan and place in the fridge while you prepare the frosting.
• For the frosting: In an electric stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy and all the lumps have disappeared. Beat in the ricotta and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar and beat until combined.
• Frost each cupcake with the ricotta cheese frosting.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Prepare a sanitizing solution of 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of household bleach.
• Rinse a large stainless steel or enameled stockpot or soup pot with the sanitizing solution and pour the milk and cream into the pot. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring as necessary with a sanitized spoon so the milk doesn't scorch on the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the lemon juice. Continue stirring slowly until the milk curdles and white curds float to the top. Remove from the heat and cover. Wait for 5 minutes while the curds solidify slightly and become firmer.
• Rinse a colander and a large piece of muslin or several layers of cheesecloth in the sanitizing solution. Wring out the cloth to release the excess water. Line the colander with the cloth and set the colander in the sink or over a large bowl.
• Using a sanitized perforated spoon, gently ladle the curds into the colander. Let the whey drain for 30 minutes, or until the ricotta is still moist but fairly dry.
• After about 15 minutes, lift the edges of the cloth toward the center of the colander to loosen the cheese from the cloth and facilitate draining. If the ricotta is still too liquid and runny in texture after 30 minutes, gather the edges of the cloth together using 1 hand, wrap a piece of kitchen string around the gathered cloth to form a bag, and tie it closed. Hang the bag containing the cheese from the faucet or the handle of a kitchen cabinet door and allow the excess whey to drip from the bag into the sink or a bowl.
• If adding salt, transfer the ricotta to a sanitized bowl and stir in the salt. Place the ricotta in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Use within 5 days.

HOMEMADE WHOLE MILK RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Run a double layer of cheesecloth under warm water to dampen, then gently squeeze to remove any excess water. Line a colander with the cheesecloth and set in the sink.
• Combine the vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl.
• Bring the milk and cream to 190 degrees F, over medium-low heat, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, stirring frequently to keep the milk mixture from scorching on the bottom. Add half of the vinegar mixture and 1 tablespoon salt and stir for 10 seconds (you'll see the milk mixture begin to slightly curdle). Remove from the heat, cover the saucepan with a lid and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Remove the lid and you'll see that the milk mixture has separated into small curds. Now stir in the remaining vinegar mixture and the milk mixture will continue to curdle. Stir for a few minutes. Pour this entire mixture into the prepared colander in the sink.
• Let drain until the desired texture, about 15 minutes for soft ricotta, 20 minutes for firm and creamy and 30 minutes for firm and slightly dry. For soft ricotta, serve warm or chilled in a small decorative bowl. For firm ricottas, gather the excess cheesecloth and shape the ricotta into a ball or disc and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Serve the ricotta with your favorite things, like a drizzle of honey and cracked black pepper, fresh or dried fruit, fruit preserves, crackers or fresh bread.

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.

CREAMY GUACAMOLE WITH RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add avocado and next 6 ingredients.
• Process until smooth.
• Spoon into a bowl; cover and chill.
• Serve with toasted tortilla wedges.

THE ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Saute onions, on low heat, in 1 tbsp of butter until just tender, but not brown. Set aside.
• In a large pot, add 1 tbsp salt to the boiling water, and cook pasta until al denta. Drain, but do not rinse.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.
• In a microwave safe measuring cup, mix the half and half with the milk, and heat for 2 minutes on high, in the microwave. Let sit in the microwave until ready to use. (This step is not crucial, but the sauce will thicken faster when using warmed milk.).
• Preheat oven to 350*. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a medium sized saucepan, using medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter along with the black pepper. Once bubbling, sprinkle with 1/4 cup of flour. Allow a few moments for the fat to absorb the flour, then stir to combine. Carefully stir the warmed cream/milk into the butter/flour mixture and cook until thickened. This generally takes about 10 minutes on my stove.
• Remove from heat, and stir in the onions, hot chili sauce, ricotta cheese, and the 2 cups of shredded cheddar. Stir until the cheddar has melted. Taste, and add the optional salt if needed. Depending on your taste, you may also opt to increase the amount of hot chili sauce as well.
• Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and gently stir. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
• Mix together 1 tbsp melted butter with the corn flake crumbs. Sprinkle over the pasta and top with the 1/4 cup shredded cheddar.
• Bake for 35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling.

CREAMY CHEESE-STUFFED MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Cook manicotti according to package directions, being careful to not overcook (or they'll split while you're filling them); drain.
• Sauce: cook onion and garlic in butter until tender; stir in flour and blend well, then add milk all at once; Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly; add swiss cheese and wine; stir until cheese is melted.
• Combine egg, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, lemon peel and nutmeg.
• Fill manicotti with ricotta mixture (I use a small teaspoon to do this); arrange in a 12x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Pour sauce over the filled shells; cover and bake in a 350° oven for 35 to 40 minutes.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a deep bowl or pot.
• Combine milk, cream, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally in a "figure eight" motion, until it reaches a temperature of 195 degrees F (90 degrees C). If you don't have a thermometer, this will be right before it starts to simmer. You'll see steam rising from the surface, and tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.
• Turn off the heat, pour in the vinegar, and stir slowly in a "figure eight" motion for 3 or 4 seconds.
• Let the mixture sit, untouched, for 6 minutes.
• Carefully ladle into the cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer so that the dripping whey drains into the pot or bowl. Let the ricotta drain into the pot for between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on how soft or firm you want your cheese. The longer it drains, the firmer the texture will be once chilled.
• Grab the ends of the cheesecloth and lift the drained ricotta out of the strainer and place in a bowl. Let cool on the counter to room temperature, then wrap and chill thoroughly.
• Remove cheesecloth and serve. Ricotta usually needs an additional pinch of salt when serving.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large colander with 2 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl.
• In a 5 to 6 quart pot over medium heat, heat milk, cream, and salt, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching, until mixture foams and comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add lemon juice. Simmer, stirring, until mixture curdles, 2 minutes for small curds. If you'd like a larger, dryer curd, continue to simmer an additional 2 minutes.
• Pour mixture into cheesecloth lined colander and drain 10 to 15 minutes or until desired texture is achieved. Empty liquid from bowl if necessary to ensure proper draining. Reserved whey can be used in smoothies or soup. Chill ricotta until ready to use.
• Serve spread onto crostini with a drizzle of olive oil, dollop over pasta or pizza, or stir into scrambled eggs. Ricotta will keep in the fridge for 1 week.

CREAMY RICOTTA PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, shortening, 2 eggs, baking powder, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and salt together in a bowl until dough comes together.
• Press dough into a 9-inch pie dish, reserving about 1 tablespoon of dough for topping.
• Beat ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth; pour cheese filling into prepared pie dish.
• Divide reserved dough into 3 balls. Flatten balls and arrange atop pie filling.
• Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of sugar over pie, if desired.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown and filling begins to firm, about 75 minutes.
• Chill pie in refrigerator until fully firm, about 3 hours.

HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring milk and salt very slowly to the boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in white vinegar.
• Leave to cool.
• When cool pour mixture into a muslin bag and allow to drip.