I'm making fresh ricotta for the first time - what are your favorites uses for it? There's going to be plenty!

PersephonesDish
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20 Comments

vvvanessa November 8, 2010
i just stumbled across this and bookmarked it right away!

http://www.babbonyc.com/rec-savourysebadas.html
 
nessafox November 4, 2010
Ricotta, some fresh fruit (berries, peaches, whatever) and a tiny bit of sugar to sprinkle. It's delicious!
 
foodfighter November 4, 2010
I love to use Ricotta in filled pastas, including Eggplant parm raviolis. Peel eggplant, process in food processor. Soften onions in olive oil, add some garlic, brown eggplant, add some wine and thyme/oregano. Then melt in some mozz. cheese and some of the ricotta (you can make both!), and use to fill pasta.
 
innoabrd November 4, 2010
Just looking at those Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts makes me feel fat...I know I would just want to eat all of them and tell my wife I never got around to making them...
 
betteirene November 4, 2010
(Drool.) All of the above. I'm not even going to try to answer this one. You guys are really good.
 
Soozll November 3, 2010
I've used homemade ricotta instead of mascarpone cheese in a loaf cake recipe. Wonderful!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 3, 2010
I made fresh ricotta a couple weeks ago and used almost all of it in a bread recipe I created. I'll post the recipe as soon as I have a chance. It was wonderfully moist and great texture and flavor!
 
Stockout November 3, 2010
Baked Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts. I can be reached at [email protected] for a wonderful recipe. Only uses 1 cup ricotta (which seems to be the appropriate leftover amount)
Stockout
 
Kayb November 3, 2010
It' makes an astounding cheesecake!
 
drbabs November 3, 2010
I tested this recipe for Editors' Pick recently--it's wonderful:http://www.food52.com/recipes/5413_lemon_ricotta_pasta_with_garlic_and_zucchini
 
PersephonesDish November 3, 2010
Good grief - I am a FoodPickle believer! Amazing ideas. My family is going to eat like kings for the next few days! Thanks to all!
 
ADS November 3, 2010
There are two great uses for fresh riccota. As mentioned by another blogger, they are excellent when used in pancakes- see if you can get the recipe for Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes from Bill's Restaurant in Sydney.

The other is serving a bowl of ricotta alongside a bowl of warm tomato sauce and some warm, crusty bread. Add a glass of red wine, and you've got the perfect first course.
 
healthierkitchen November 3, 2010
love it with a sprinkle of sea salt and a little olive oil drizzled over top for a cheese course, but I REALLY like Merrill's hors d'oeuvre:
http://www.food52.com/recipes/4718_bruschetta_with_ricotta_honey_and_lemon_zest

 
Hilarybee November 3, 2010
I make a really simple pasta dish with it.

Prepare some boxed spaghetti, and when it is nearly finished put some swiss chard or spinach in the water. Top the cooked spaghetti and spinach with a big dollop of ricotta, lemon zest, olive oil, pistachios and salt and pepper.

It's really, really good.
 
campagnes November 3, 2010
My favorite way to eat ricotta: a dollop in the bowl beside a dollop of mashed butternut squash, drizzled with honey and seasoned with salt and pepper. (GEEZ, vvvanessa, that looks fantastic.)
 
Bevi November 3, 2010
I make a ricotta pie with phyllo dough, stuffed shells, and stuffed roasted red peppers with feta cheese added as well.
 
Mr_Vittles November 3, 2010
Pancakes! My favorite has to be in pancakes. The ricotta makes them rich, milky, and light! Just be sure to whip your egg whites for the ultimate form of pancakes.
 
jwolfsthal November 3, 2010
any stuffed pasta - from shells to ravioli. it is awesome. there is also a terrific recipe from Bitmman on the NYT site for ricotta gnocchi. Looked good, and with fresh how could it be bad?
 
theglobalgirl November 3, 2010
1. I use it to make a variety of desserts (think cakes, fried ricotta dumplings etc), crepe stuffings, savory jelly rolls (as well as sweet ones) etc
2. use them in salad or to cook a baked savory dish
3. as a spread mixed with your favorite ingredients on corstinis, toasts, crackers etc
4. it is also extremely useful in making special deserts (from indian, south east asian, east european cuisines)
 
vvvanessa November 3, 2010
i spread it on crostini and top it with anything from jam to a drizzle of olive oil to seasoned beans (the picture is from this past spring, when favas had just hit the scene). it's one of my favorite breakfast and snack options.
 
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