Homemade Ricotta Recipe
Get creative with homemade ricotta, which adds a gourmet touch to any dish.
Photo: Andrew Purcell
Makes 2 cups
4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. kosher salt
Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
In a large pot, combine milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, lemon juice and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until mixture has reached 160° on a candy thermometer, about 28 minutes.
The mixture will begin to separate, forming bits of milky cheese curds and a watery whey. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture slowly into cheesecloth-lined strainer. Refrigerate about 2 hours, or until most of the liquid has drained from the cheese.
The texture of the cheese will depend on the draining time: For a softer texture, drain cheese for less time; for a firmer texture, continue to drain overnight. Remove ricotta from the cheesecloth and use immediately, or transfer cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
Ingredients
Directions
Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
In a large pot, combine milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, lemon juice and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until mixture has reached 160° on a candy thermometer, about 28 minutes.
The mixture will begin to separate, forming bits of milky cheese curds and a watery whey. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture slowly into cheesecloth-lined strainer. Refrigerate about 2 hours, or until most of the liquid has drained from the cheese.
The texture of the cheese will depend on the draining time: For a softer texture, drain cheese for less time; for a firmer texture, continue to drain overnight. Remove ricotta from the cheesecloth and use immediately, or transfer cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.