Heavenly Ricotta Cheese Bread Food

RICOTTA BREAD

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).

HERBED RICOTTA CHEESY BREAD

Steps:

• Place the butter in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat and cook for about 3 minutes - stirring almost constantly - until the butter has turned an amber gold/brown and smells slightly nutty. Remove from heat and set aside until needed.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
• Spray a 9 OR 10" loaf pan with non-stick baking spray. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on the bottom of the pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl add the flour, baking powder, rosemary, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and brown sugar; mix well to combine. Add in the cubed mozzarella and toss with your hands, making sure each cube gets coated in the flour mixture. Make a well in the center of the flour. Add in the milk, ricotta cheese, and egg. Use a fork to lightly whisk the wet ingredients together, then use a rubber spatula to gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stop folding when you can still see just a little flour. It's important not to over mix here! fold in the browned butter until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese, and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate, then flip it back (right side up) onto a cooling rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This bread actually tastes better the longer you let it cool.

HEAVENLY RICOTTA PANCAKES

Steps:

• Separate eggs and whip whites til soft peaks.
• Set whites aside.
• Mix all other ingredients together thoroughly.
• Gently fold in whites.
• Put 1/4 cup or so on medium hot greased griddle.
• Flatten somewhat with spoon.
• Cook until lightly golden brown and turn once.
• Serve with warm melted butter and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• You can serve with jam, also.

SAVORY BABKA WITH RICOTTA AND HERBS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan on the stovetop, or in a bowl in the microwave, warm the milk until lukewarm, but not hot (about 110 degrees). Add yeast and pinch of sugar, and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until slightly foamy.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, a food processor, or using a large bowl and a wooden spoon, mix the flour and salt. Beat or process in the yeast mixture and eggs until the dough comes together in a soft mass, about 2 minutes. It's OK if a little flour remains on the bottom of the bowl.
• Add half the butter and beat until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Beat in the rest of the butter and continue to beat until dough is stretchy, another 5 to 7 minutes. At this point, all the flour should be worked into the dough. If not, add a teaspoon or two of water, and beat for another minute or so.
• Butter a clean bowl. Form the dough into a ball and roll it around in the bowl so all sides are buttered. Cover the bowl with a plate or dish towel, and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place, like the inside of a turned-off oven with the oven light on, until it puffs and rises, anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours. It may not double in bulk, but it should rise.
• Press the dough down with your hands to expel the air, cover the bowl again and refrigerate overnight. (In a pinch, you could chill the dough for 4 hours, but it won't develop as much flavor.)
• Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients until smooth. Taste and add more salt and black pepper, if needed. (If you used ham or olives, you probably won't need more salt.) Filling can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.
• Butter a 9-inch loaf pan, then line with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches of overhang for pulling the babka out later.
• Put the dough on a floured surface and roll it into a 9-by-17-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly onto the dough, going all the way to the edge. Starting with a long side, roll into a tightly coiled log. Bring one end of the log to meet the other, then twist the dough, pinching together the ends to seal.
• Place dough into the prepared pan. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until puffy. (It won't quite double.)
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush the top of the babka with more softened butter and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until the top is deeply golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. The babka should sound hollow if you tap it on the bottom once it's unmolded. An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center will read 185 degrees. Transfer to a wire rack. Babka is best served still a little warm.

FOUR CHEESE MANICOTTI IN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Saute onion and mushrooms (if using) in butter 5 minutes; stir in flour.
• Gradually stir in milk; stir over low heat until sauce bubbles and thickens.
• Stir in 1 cup Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• Cook manicotti shells according to package directions; drain and cover with cold water.
• Mix together ricotta, mozzarella, Romano and remaining Parmesan cheese; add walnuts, parsley and eggs.
• Season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Drain manicotti shells; stuff with cheese mixture.
• Place shells side by side in a greased shallow baking pan; spoon sauce over all.
• Bake in preheated 400F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.