Baked Herbed Ricotta Recipes

BAKED RICOTTA WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the ricotta, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer to a 2-cup ramekin and sprinkle with the parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with bread.

HERBED RICOTTA BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or turn a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside. Cut the bread in half and cut each half into 6 thick slices to make 12 slices total.
• When the grill is hot, brush the bread with olive oil and grill on each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the grill and rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Serve 2 warm slices per person with the green salad on the side.
• 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.
• Place the salad greens in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to moisten. Toss and serve.

BAKED HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Lighly oil a 4 cup souffle or baking dish.
• Stir cheese with a fork. Add chopped herbs and blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon cheese into souffle and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake 15 minutes. Serve with toasts.

HERBED RICOTTA SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees and position rack in lower third. Butter a one-quart casserole dish and dust with flour, shaking out excess. In a bowl, whisk ricotta, egg yolks, salt, and herbs. Season with pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk whites until stiff peaks form. Working in two batches, gently fold whites with a large rubber spatula into ricotta mixture until just combined.
• Pour mixture into prepared dish and bake until puffed, golden brown, and firm to the touch, 30 to 32 minutes.

BAKED RICOTTA WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Coat a 1-quart casserole with the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, stir the ricotta together with the salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and cream.
• Transfer to the casserole. Bake uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the cheese is creamy and hot. Serve with the French bread slices.