Homemade Creamy Ricotta Cheese
Homemade Creamy Ricotta Cheese
Easily Make Ricotta Cheese from Leftover Yogurt Whey (No-Fail Recipe)
I recently made ricotta cheese using the whey leftover from making homemade yogurt with my whey separator! I’m here to share my foolproof method for making delicious ricotta cheese. It’s surprisingly simple and yields a wonderfully creamy texture, perfect for spreading on toast or adding to your favorite dishes. Get ready to impress yourself with this easy, no-fail recipe!
Ingredients- 1 L (approx. 4 cups) Yogurt Whey
- 1 L (approx. 4 cups) Milk
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 5 Tbsp Lemon Vinegar (or 5 Tbsp Lemon Juice)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by pouring 1 L of milk into a pot. To easily measure the whey, you can use the empty milk carton to ensure you have the same volume of whey as milk.
Step 2
Add 1 L of yogurt whey to the milk, maintaining a 1:1 ratio of milk to whey. This ratio is key to achieving a creamy ricotta cheese.
Step 3
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Salt enhances the flavor of the cheese and aids in the curdling process.
Step 4
Gently stir the mixture with a spatula or ladle until well combined. Avoid vigorous stirring; a gentle mix to distribute the ingredients evenly is best.
Step 5
Place the pot over low heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. As it heats up, you’ll notice the milk proteins starting to form soft curds. Continue to stir occasionally to prevent sticking, but avoid over-stirring.
Step 6
Once the milk begins to curdle and separate into curds and clear whey, carefully add 5 tablespoons of lemon vinegar (or lemon juice). Do not stir after adding the vinegar. Let it simmer on low heat for an additional 10 minutes. This step is crucial for the cheese to set properly.
Step 7
After 10 minutes of simmering, turn off the heat. Line a sieve or colander with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Carefully pour the contents of the pot into the lined sieve to drain the whey. You can gently squeeze the cheesecloth to remove excess whey for a firmer ricotta.
Step 8
Congratulations! Your fresh, homemade ricotta cheese is now ready. Enjoy its wonderfully soft and creamy texture straight from your kitchen.
Step 9
Spread a generous amount of your homemade ricotta cheese on toast and top with fresh strawberries for a delightful treat. For an elevated experience, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper; it makes a perfect finger food or appetizer!
