In Italy, they treat all products very carefully and use them to the maximum without leaving waste. Italian chefs have found the use of whey and created stunningly delicious ricotta cheese. We will talk about the intricacies of preparing delicious dishes using cheese.

Ricotta - what kind of cheese is it?

The main product for making cheese is whey. The liquid that remains after cooking traditional cheese.

There are several types of ricotta:

  • a variety based on sheep serum is called Ricotta Romano;
  • from milk and buffalo whey, Ricotta di Bufala is obtained;
  • 3 month salty appearance - Ricotta salata;
  • baked fresh cheese until a brown tint of crust - Ricotta infornata;
  • smoked version - Ricotta affumicata;
  • matured cheese, produced during the year from various varieties of whey (cow, sheep, goat, buffalo) - Ricotta forte.

Composition, calories and nutritional value

Cheese has nutritional qualities, thanks to its amazing composition, which includes:

  • vitamins (A, E), responsible for the condition of the skin and eye activity;
  • potassium;
  • B vitamins that normalize the activity of the nervous system;
  • zinc;
  • calcium is the main value of the product that is responsible for the skeletal system. Helps to improve the condition of nails and hair;
  • vitamins (D, K);
  • selenium, which helps improve muscle activity.

Ricotta is low in calories compared to most cheeses. Therefore, it is ideal for diet food. Calorie content is only 174 kcal per 100 g.

The same mass of product contains:

  • proteins - 11 g;
  • carbohydrates - 3 g;
  • fats - 13 g.

What do ricotta cheese eat?

Smoked and seasoned variety of ricotta is eaten, as well as hard cheeses familiar to everyone.

 

Fresh ricotta is cut into slices and served with herbs, bread or vegetables, complemented by wine.

Used as the basis for:

  • cheesecake
  • cream;
  • filler for large paste.

Cream is replaced with cheese and sauces are prepared on its basis. The product serves as a wonderful filling for ravioli, meat pies, lasagna and pizza. Ricotta is a great ingredient for salads and desserts.

How can I replace ricotta cheese

If you have decided on the dish, but could not find the ricotta, then it can easily be replaced by:

  • cottage cheese;
  • sour cream;
  • Fromage Blanc (buttery cheese);
  • tofu (vegetarian cheese);
  • mascarpone;
  • buttermilk cheese;
  • cream cheese;
  • goat cheese;
  • panir.

What smell and taste does the product have?

It tastes sweetish. The texture is cream cheese with a white and cream tint. The aroma is unusual and at the same time delicate.

Pasta with ricotta and tomatoes

Many do not know what can be prepared from ricotta cheese. We recommend starting with the product with the simplest thing - making pasta.

Ingredients:

  • salt;
  • spaghetti - 550 g;
  • onion - 2 pcs.;
  • olive oil - 25 ml;
  • hot pepper - 1 pc.;
  • black pepper - 0.3 tsp;
  • tomatoes - 550 g;
  • garlic - 3 cloves;
  • ricotta cheese - 220 g.

Cooking:

  1. Chop the onions. Chop the garlic cloves. Peel the tomatoes. To make it easier to remove, pour tomatoes with boiling water.
  2. Pour oil into the stewpan and place the onion cubes. Add garlic cloves in a minute. Add the hot pepper pod. To fry.
  3. Place the tomatoes. Simmer without lid for 8 minutes. Fire should be minimal.
  4. Crumble ricotta and put in a saucepan. Salt and sprinkle with pepper. Stir. 3 minutes to darken.

Soft Wheat Cheese Salad

A delicious and original appetizer will serve as a good snack and will be great for any meal for dinner. A salad with ricotta cheese and beets is a great option for the whole family.

Ingredients:

  • beetroot - 120 g;
  • sugar - 190 g;
  • arugula - 15 g;
  • balsamic vinegar - 190 ml;
  • Corn salad - 15 g;
  • pine nuts - 5 g;
  • ricotta - 110 g;
  • salt - 2 g;
  • dill - 4 g.

Cooking:

  1. Send the beetroot to the oven and bake for 1.5 hours. The temperature will need 165 degrees. Then smoke in the smokehouse for half an hour. Even at home you can build a smokehouse. To do this, take the old pan and place the sawdust on the bottom. Put the beetroot in a sieve. Cover and set on fire.
  2. Chop the corn salad. Chop the arugula. To mix.
  3. Chop dill and add chopped cheese. To mix. Salt and roll the ball.
  4. Pour vinegar into the stewpan. Sweeten. Stew until the mass becomes thick and similar to sauce.
  5. Put a cheese ball on the arugula. Add chopped beets. Pour over the prepared sauce. Garnish with nuts.

Cheesecakes for breakfast

This type of cheesecake has a delicious aroma and taste. The crust is crispy, and the flesh is tender. Try to cook the proposed option and cheesecakes will become your favorite dish in your home.

Ingredients:

  • icing sugar - 65 g;
  • corn starch - 4 tbsp. spoons;
  • ricotta cheese - 250 g;
  • vegetable oil - 5 tbsp. spoons;
  • Philadelphia cheese - 120 g;
  • yolk - 1 pc.;
  • flour - 45 g.

Cooking:

  1. Drain the ricotta. To make the syrniki soft, place half in a sieve and grind. Mix with the remaining cheese.
  2. Sprinkle with powder and mix. Add flour. Knead. Pour in the yolk. Mix the prepared mass with Philadelphia. Get a dense mass.
  3. Form a sausage. Cut into 11 pieces. Roll from each part of the washer and dip in starch.
  4. Fry in oil over low heat until a golden crust appears.

Ricotta cheese cream for cake

The creamy mass will be airy and non-greasy. Suitable for any desserts.

Ingredients:

  • ricotta - 550 g;
  • cinnamon - 1 teaspoon;
  • icing sugar - 145 g;
  • whipping cream - 70 ml;
  • lemon peel.

Cooking:

  1. All products must be at room temperature. Pour the powder into the cream and beat.
  2. Add ricotta. Pour cinnamon. Beat. Place the lemon zest. Mix.

Pumpkin Lasagna with Ricotta Sauce

The dish is juicy, healthy and very tasty.

Ingredients:

  • butter - 35 g;
  • Parmesan - 120 g;
  • milk - 560 ml;
  • lasagna - 7 sheets;
  • nutmeg - 0.5 tsp;
  • pumpkin - 550 g;
  • ricotta - 270 g;
  • Spinach - 220 g;
  • water - 1 tbsp. a spoon;
  • olive oil - 2 tbsp. spoons;
  • flour - 35 g;
  • shallots - 1 pcs.

Cooking:

  1. Chop the onion. Chop pumpkin pulp. To mix. Pour in water and olive oil. Add salt. Sprinkle with pepper. Mix. Put on a baking sheet. Put the bake in the oven with a temperature of 200 degrees. Hold for 27 minutes.
  2. Place butter in a saucepan. Pour flour and mix. Fry for 3 minutes. Pour milk into a stream. Mix. Cook for 7 minutes. The mass will become thick. Add chopped ricotta. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Stir.
  3. In a small saucepan, place the spinach and pour a large spoonful of water. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Stir and simmer for 7 minutes.
  4. At the bottom of the mold, place half of the pumpkin. Cover with a piece of spinach. Pour half the sauce. Sprinkle with salt and cheese chips. Cover with sheets of lasagna. Spread the pumpkin, then spinach. Pour the sauce. Cover with sheets of lasagna and sprinkle with cheese.
  5. Bake at 180 degrees oven. Time - 37 minutes.

Cookies dessert with fruits and cheese

An exquisite treat will decorate any festive feast.

Ingredients:

  • ricotta cheese - 550 g;
  • strawberries - 420 g;
  • banana - 210 g;
  • cookies - 130 g;
  • honey - 25 g;
  • vanillin;
  • coconut flakes.

Cooking:

  1. Pour ricotta with honey. Sprinkle with vanilla. Slice a banana. If the strawberries are large - chop. Smash cookies.
  2. Spread the ingredients in a tall glass on a long leg. The first layer is cheese. Top with strawberries, then a banana. Sprinkle with cookies. Cover with ricotta. Sprinkle with coconut.

Related:More from the author: