RICOTTA CHEESE

This is the lightest, freshest, and most amazing ricotta cheese you have ever tasted! Ricotta has been enjoyed for centuries, with its origins dating back to ancient times. It’s believed to have been a staple in Italian cuisine as far back as the Roman Empire. Ricotta’s mild flavor and creamy texture makes it incredibly versatile in cooking. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, ranging from lasagne, stuffed pasta and bruschetta, to cheesecakes and cannoli fillings. Ricotta is not only delicious but also nutritious. It’s high in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, making it a healthy choice for incorporating into your daily diet. While you can easily find ricotta cheese at the store, it’s also surprisingly simple to make at home. All you need is milk, lemon juice, and a bit of patience. After trying this simple recipe, you’ll find yourself consistently making your own homemade ricotta, and you will never buy ricotta cheese from a supermarket again.

4 cups whole milk

1/2 tsp sea salt

3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Mesh cloth to drain the cheese

Pour the 4 cups of whole milk into a medium size pot and add the 1/2 tsp sea salt. Heat the milk over medium heat to 190°F. Continuously stir the milk to prevent the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Use a cooking thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Once the milk reaches 190°F, remove the pot from the heat. Add the 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice to the milk and stir gently for about 10 seconds. Curd will start forming immediately. Allow the milk mixture to sit undisturbed for 5 to 8 minutes. During this time, the curd will separate from the milk. Line a medium size strainer with the mesh cloth and pour the milk mixture into the cloth. Allow it to strain for 5 to 10 minutes without touching or disturbing the curd.

Draining for 5 to 10 minutes will give you a very creamy and super light ricotta cheese. You can drain longer for up to 30 minutes, but as longer the draining process, as dryer the cheese.

Carefully remove the ricotta cheese from the mesh cloth, and place it into a small container. Cool down the ricotta cheese in a refrigerater or enjoy warm.

You and your guests will love it. After tasting this freshest of the freshest ricotta cheese, you will never be buying ricotta cheese in a supermarket again!