Sarasotas Ricotta And Cheese Sauce Recipes

SPINACH AND RICOTTA CHEESE SAUCE FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion on a gentle heat until soft but not browned.
• Add the thyme, garlic (if using) and spinach.
• Continue to cook on low heat until the spinach leaves have wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes. If you're spinach was very wet and there is a lot of water in the pan, drain some off otherwise the sauce will be very runny. If you're not sure drain it into a separate bowl you can always add some later if you feel it's too thick.
• Add the ricotta cheese and mix, using a wooden spoon, until it forms a smooth sauce.
• Season, using nutmeg (I use more than stated above, but then I really like nutmeg), salt, freshly ground pepper and powdered vegetable stock to taste.
• Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and serve straight away on your favourite pasta.

CREAMY RICOTTA PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook orecchiette according to package directions, reducing time by 1 minute, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Mix until a paste forms. Add 1/3 cup hot pasta water and whisk well. Repeat with another 1/3 cup pasta water.
• Transfer pasta to a saucepan using a strainer, letting most, but not all, the water drain off. Reserve cooking water. Add the sauce mixture and turn heat to medium. Cook and stir until sauce thickens enough to coat the pasta evenly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if sauce gets too thick. Stir in pesto. Taste and season as desired. Transfer pasta to a warm bowl.

SARASOTA'S RICOTTA AND CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Sauce -- In a blender, add the ricotta, corn starch and pulse a couple times until smooth. Slowly add in the chicken broth until creamy.
• Cheese -- Transfer the ricotta sauce to a small sauce pan and heat to medium low heat, add in the cheese and cook until the cheese is melted. It will take approximately 5 minutes. DO NOT let it come to a boil.
• NOTE: Make this ahead and refrigerate, then just slowly reheat when ready to use.

CHUCK'S RICOTTA CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• For the risotto: In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• In a large saucepan, cook the shallots and leek in 1 tablespoon oil over medium-low heat, stirring, until softened, for about 5 minutes. Add the rice, stirring until each grain is coated with oil. Add about 3/4 cup of the simmering stock and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the stock is absorbed. Continue adding the stock, 3/4 cup at a time, still stirring constantly and letting each batch be absorbed before adding the next. Reduce the heat to moderate if necessary to keep the risotto at a simmer. Continue adding the stock in the same manner until the rice is tender and creamy looking but still al dente, about 20 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low, add the butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, spinach, and green peas. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• For the sauteed rock shrimp and mushrooms: In a heavy-bottom frying pan, heat the oil and saute the mushrooms for 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and continue sauteing for 3 to 4 minutes. Melt in the butter, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Serve the risotto with the sauteed rock shrimp and mushrooms. Garnish with parsley, chive and a few dollops of ricotta cheese.

BEST LASAGNA WITH RICOTTA BECHAMEL

Steps:

• Prepare meat sauce: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground sirloin and sausage; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Add olive oil to the Dutch oven. Add onion and salt and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; stir until well combined. Stir in cooked meat and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in basil and parsley.
• While sauce is simmering prepare bechamel: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes. Whisk in milk, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from the heat and whisk in ricotta until smooth. Let stand 10 minutes.
• At the same time, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook 12 lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spoon 1/2 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish. Place 4 noodles across sauce. Spoon 1/3 of remaining meat sauce over noodles. Add 1/2 of the bechamel sauce, then sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers once more. Top with remaining 4 noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden and bubbly, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and let stand 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional fresh basil leaves.