I had some milk that was a day over its expiration date and I knew it would never last the week for my family to drink it, so I took it as a great excuse to make ricotta for a lasagna this weekend. Making your own ricotta is SUPER simple. I promise. Follow along and try it for yourself!! Start by heating a gallon of milk in a large pot. I used 2% but whole milk works well too (and gives a creamier texture). One Tablespoon salt Wait for it to come almost to a boil. It will get really foamy. You can use a thermometer to ensure you hit over 185F. Turn off the stove and remove from the heat and add in 1/2c vinegar or lemon juice (or a mix). I used vinegar this time because I wanted it to be used for lasagna (more savory) but in the past I have used all lemon juice for a delightfully fresh flavor that’s really nice as a spread on toast. Once you pour it in give it a quick stir to distribute (you will already see curds forming) and then let it sit for several minutes as the curds form completely. After ten minutes scoop out the curds into a vessel. If you use a slotted spoon and you want some of the whey to remain, you can cover and cool at this stage. I will be using mine for lasagna and I have a recurring problem with too much liquid in my lasagna so I am going to drain mine more completely with cheese cloth. You could also use a coffee filter in a strainer. Whatever you do, save your whey! I encourage you to spread a bit at this stage on a cracker or even try some with a spoon. It’s so fresh and light and warm and creamy! To drain with cheese cloth just pour the curds into a cheesecloth-lined strainer and bundle up. Secure with a rubber band and let drain. You are left with a warm and creamy farmers style or ricotta cheese. After draining for 30 mins or so turn it out into a sealable container for storage in the fridge. It is delicious on toast with honey as a great breakfast alternative! In Italy they even put a little brown sugar on top and put it under the broiler for a brûlée effect. Enjoy!! I then save the whey to make bread. Just replace the water in your favorite recipe with whey for added flavor and protein!
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Author: KellyI love to cook and care for the people I love! Categories
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November 2020
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