Five Minute Homemade Ricotta Recipes

5 MINUTE MICROWAVE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Cook: Add milk to a microwave safe bowl, then microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes (if you have a kitchen thermometer, milk should reach between 185°F and 200°F).
• Curdle: Add vinegar or lemon juice, stirring briefly to combine. Let sit undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes. Milk should separate into white curds and yellowish liquid (test it by dragging a spoon through the bowl). If milk doesn't curdle and the liquid is still white, add another tablespoon of lemon or vinegar and microwave for another 30 seconds.
• Strain: Lay a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel in a wire mesh sieve, and set over a large bowl. Pour the milk mixture into the sieve to strain out the liquid whey. You can let your ricotta strain up to 1 hour. The longer it sits, the firmer your ricotta will be (though I like it fresh and warm, strained for just a few minutes). Stir salt into ricotta when finished straining.

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.

EASY AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour milk into a saucepan set over medium heat. Heat milk until it registers 194 degrees F (90 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir lemon juice and salt slowly into warmed milk. Let stand until milk curdles, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture carefully into the lined strainer. Let stand until most of the liquid has drained off the ricotta, about 15 minutes. Discard drained liquid.

FIVE MINUTE HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line colander with four layers of cheesecloth or 2 layers of food-safe paper towels and set over large bowl.
• Combine milk, salt, and vinegar or lemon juice in microwave-safe glass 1-quart liquid measure.
• Microwave on high heat until lightly bubbling around edges, 2 to 4 minutes (milk should register about 165°F on an instant-read thermometer).
• Remove from microwave, and stir gently for 5 seconds. Milk should separate into solid white curds and translucent liquid whey. If not, microwave for 30 seconds longer. Repeat until fully separated.
• Using slotted spoon or wire skimmer, transfer curds to prepared colander, cover exposed top with plastic wrap, and allow to drain until desired texture is reached.
• Under 5 minutes extremely moist and creamy: Best for immediate consumption, while still warm. For savory applications, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, and serve. For dessert, drizzle warm ricotta with honey, and serve with fruit.
• 15 to 20 minutes small, tender curds with a cottage cheese-like consistency. Moist and spreadable, but not runny. Best for moist savory applications like lasagna or ravioli fillings and dips, or certain uncooked pastry applications, like cannoli filling.
• 2 hrs to overnight (in fridge) firm, dry, crumbly curds that can easily be molded into firm shapes. Best for pastry, such as ricotta pancakes, ricotta gnocchi, or ricotta tortas.
• Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one 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 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.