Jump to:What is Ricotta CheeseAbout Homemade Ricotta CheeseIngredientsHow To Make Ricotta CheeseRicotta Cheese RecipesRicotta Cheese vs. Paneer Helpful TipsMore Homemade RecipesRecipe Card
What is Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is white, soft, and creamy curd cheese. This cheese is moist and slightly on the sweeter side. The best thing about this cheese is that it is versatile and amazingly blends in savory and sweet recipes. Or it is equally delicious to have it just as a spread on the toast or crackers.
About Homemade Ricotta Cheese
The procedure of making ricotta is almost similar to making Paneer or Chhena. There are only a few things that need to be done differently while making ricotta. I, most of the time, make Paneer and Chhena at home. It is an effortless and straightforward procedure, and the same goes for homemade ricotta cheese. Making cheese curd at home gives immense joy and satisfaction. If you never tried making ricotta at home, you should give it a try. Freshly made ricotta is soft and light as a cloud, moist and creamy. There are tons of recipes from savory to sweet, where you can use ricotta cheese. And homemade cheese definitely elevates the flavor of the recipe. My favorite ways of using homemade ricotta cheese are making Peda (Indian sweet), lasagna, cheesecake, and making a spread with some seasonings. Once you know how to make ricotta cheese at home and how easy it is, I am sure you will make it often.
Ingredients
It requires only four ingredients to make ricotta cheese. And if you choose not to add cream, there will be only three ingredients.
How To Make Ricotta Cheese
Preparations
Place a strainer on the top of a large bowl. Then line the strainer with a muslin cloth or two to three layers of cheesecloth. Set it aside.
Making Homemade Ricotta Cheese
Combine milk, cream, and salt in a large pot. Heat the mixture on medium heat. If you do not want to add cream, take ½ cup of whole milk more.
Stir the mixture frequently and heat until it comes to a boil. You can also use the temperature method and heat the mixture to 185°F.
As soon as the mixture starts boiling, turn off the heat and remove the pot. Add vinegar and stir gently only a few times so that vinegar mixes well and whey separates.
Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Let it sit undisturbed.
After 30 minutes, gently spoon the ricotta into the prepared strainer. Let it drain undisturbed for 20-30 minutes. However, drain it only for 5-10 minutes if you want very soft and moist cheese. In contrast, if you want a firmer cheese, drain it for a little bit longer.
Once the ricotta cheese is drained, stir it lightly and store it in an airtight container.
Use this homemade cheese right away, or refrigerate it until it is ready to use.
Ricotta Cheese Recipes
There are many recipes from savory to sweet that can be made with homemade ricotta cheese. I have given some examples, but really you can use it as you fancy it.
Top the ricotta cheese on your favorite pasta. Use it for stuffed pasta and lasagna. Season the ricotta cheese with your choice of herbs and spices. And then spread it on the toast or crackers. Use this creamy cheese to make Cheesecakes We can make Indian sweets like Peda and Sandesh
Ricotta Cheese vs. Paneer
The process of making ricotta cheese and paneer is almost the same. However, there are a few different steps in the making, and that makes them distinguished. Paneer is firmer in comparison to ricotta cheese. Also, ricotta cheese is slightly on the sweeter side, and paneer is more neutral. While paneer is more compact in texture, ricotta is softer and moist.
Helpful Tips
Do not use ultra-pasteurized milk to make homemade ricotta cheese, so make sure to check your milk label. You can skip the cream if you want and add ½ cup of whole milk more. For the soft consistency, reduce the draining time of ricotta cheese. Use the freshly made ricotta immediately or cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. After adding vinegar, make sure to stir the mixture gently and only a few times. You can use lemon juice instead of white vinegar if you prefer. However, do not use lime juice.
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