Is there anything useful one can do with the liquid (whey) left over after scooping out the ricotta curds? It seems a shame to waste it.

I should have been more specific, sorry! I just add a few tablespoons to the water when I soak the beans overnight. And I also remember reading you can water certain houseplants with it but not sure which ones because I don't have any indoors. I need to come up with a few more uses myself, since I have some in the fridge right now and there's only so much I trust my dog to ingest at a time!

Cauner, I've never heard of mixing dairy with beans. Do you mean pre-soak the beans in the whey instead of water, or use the whey as cooking liquid and then eat it along with the beans?

For me, I have used it in soup or bread, soaked beans with it, and fed it to my dog.

here is an idea from Lapadia, if you search whey on this site a few things come up ...

http://www.food52.com/recipes/6791_infused_ricotta_whey_garlic_herb