Homemade Ricotta Cheese With Lemon Recipes

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.

LEMON RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs, butter and lemon zest. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 325° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, cream, ricotta, sugar, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth. Beat in lemon juice and zest. Add eggs, beat on low speed just until combined. Pour filling into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 325° for 70-80 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with mint and lemon if desired.

FRESH HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line a large sieve with a layer of heavy-duty (fine-mesh) cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
• Slowly bring milk, cream, and salt to a rolling boil in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add lemon juice, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture curdles, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the lined sieve and let it drain 1 hour. After discarding the liquid, chill the ricotta, covered; it will keep in the refrigerator 2 days.

RICOTTA CHEESE SPREAD WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Empty the container of ricotta into a strainer and place over a bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. (You can cut down the drain time several ways - 1) don't bother to drain at all, you'll just have a lot more moisture in your final product 2) drain at room temperature for 1 hour or 3) just drain for as long as you have patience and then, proceed!).
• Combine drained ricotta, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of the thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
• Stir until blended.
• Mound onto the center of a shallow bowl or serving plate and drizzle with oil.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1/2 teasonpoon of thyme over the top. Garnish with strips of basil.
• Serve with crackers, bread, or raw vegetables.
• *I used the 4 hour drain time as the cooking time for this recipe*.