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Cooking With Ricotta |
Ricotta cheese is one of the most versatile and delicious ingredients in Italian cuisine. It is a soft, creamy cheese made from whey that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In this post, we'll share 5 unique recipes that use ricotta in creative ways that will make you fall in love with this ingredient all over again. Whether you're looking for a breakfast treat, a quick snack, or a delicious dessert, we've got you covered. So, let's dive in and explore the wonderful world of ricotta!
Recipe #1: Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells
If you're looking for a hearty and delicious meal that's perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, these ricotta and spinach stuffed shells are sure to impress. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and savory tomato sauce is simply irresistible.
Ingredients:
1 box jumbo pasta shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 jar tomato sauce
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and black pepper.
Spoon the ricotta mixture into the cooked pasta shells.
Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish, and pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the shells are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.
Let the stuffed shells cool for a few minutes before serving.
These ricotta and spinach stuffed shells are a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese and fresh spinach is a match made in heaven, and the savory tomato sauce ties it all together. Serve these stuffed shells with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete and delicious dinner.
Recipe #2: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
If you're in the mood for a sweet and tangy breakfast treat, these lemon ricotta pancakes are the perfect choice. They're light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup milk
3 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Butter, for cooking
Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, milk, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
In a third bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Add the ricotta mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat
Melt a small amount of butter in the skillet.
Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop the pancake batter into the skillet.
Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, then flip and cook until golden brown.
Repeat with the remaining batter.
Serve the pancakes with butter and maple syrup.
These lemon ricotta pancakes are a delicious and unique twist on traditional pancakes. The ricotta cheese makes them light and fluffy, while the lemon adds a bright and tangy flavor that will wake up your taste buds. They're perfect for a lazy Sunday morning or a special occasion breakfast.
Recipe #3: Ricotta and Mushroom Tart
If you're looking for a savory appetizer or snack that's both delicious and elegant, this ricotta and mushroom tart is the perfect choice. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese, savory mushrooms, and flaky pastry is simply irresistible.
Ingredients:
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to a rectangle approximately 12x8 inches.
Transfer the pastry to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Prick the pastry all over with a fork, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms are browned and tender, about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese and egg.
Spread the ricotta mixture over the pastry, leaving the 1-inch border around the edges.
Top the ricotta mixture with the cooked mushrooms.
Bake the tart for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top.
Let the tart cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
This ricotta and mushroom tart is a delicious and elegant appetizer or snack that's perfect for entertaining. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese and savory mushrooms is simply irresistible, and the flaky pastry adds the perfect crunch. Serve this tart at your next party or get-together and watch it disappear in no time!
Recipe #4: Chocolate Ricotta Mousse
If you're a chocolate lover, this rich and decadent chocolate ricotta mousse is the perfect dessert for you. It's creamy, chocolatey, and incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients:
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving
Instructions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Divide the mixture evenly among 4 serving glasses.
Cover the glasses with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until set.
Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings before serving.
This chocolate ricotta mousse is a rich and decadent dessert that's perfect for chocolate lovers. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese and rich cocoa powder is simply irresistible, and the whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top add the perfect finishing touch. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to make, so you can satisfy your chocolate cravings anytime!
Recipe #5: Ricotta and Tomato Tartine
If you're looking for a quick and easy snack or light lunch, this ricotta and tomato tartine is the perfect choice. It's simple, delicious, and bursting with fresh flavors.
Ingredients:
4 slices of bread
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions:
Toast the bread slices.
In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and olive oil.
Spread the ricotta mixture over the toasted bread slices.
Top each slice with the halved cherry tomatoes.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
This ricotta and tomato tartine is a simple and delicious snack or light lunch that's perfect for a busy day. The creamy ricotta cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes are a match made in heaven, and the fresh basil adds the perfect finishing touch. It's quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying!
In conclusion, these 5 unique recipes using ricotta cheese are sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty dinner, a sweet breakfast treat, an elegant appetizer, a rich dessert, or a quick snack, we've got you covered. Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in countless ways, so don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors and combinations. We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!