How to make store-bought Ricotta cheese creamy?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “How to make store-bought Ricotta cheese creamy?” methods to prepare Ricotta cheese and store it.
How to make store-bought Ricotta cheese creamy?
The addition of cream or whole milk to Ricotta cheese can make it more creamy. Avoid adding pasteurized milk as this could lead to the breakdown of sugars and protein.
How to prepare creamy Ricotta cheese?
There are two methods listed here to prepare creamy Ricotta cheese. One method is by using cream and milk. Another method is by using whey.
Using whole milk and cream
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup cream
Method
- In a pot, add all the ingredients listed above. Allow it to boil.
- The curd will start to break up from whey. Stir the mixture gently. Reduce the heat and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the salt.
- Place the pot into a backburner for at least one hour.
- Take out the curds through a sieve and into a bowl. When the curds have been added to the bowl, place the sieve over the bowl for at least 10 minutes and allow it to drain.
- Take an air-tight container. Transfer the ricotta onto the container and place it in the refrigerator.
Using whey
Ingredients
- 1-gallon whey
- ½ tsp citric acid
- Salt as required.
Method
- Heat the whey without stirring. When the temperature reaches between 160 to 165℉. You can add milk to make it creamier. Keep stirring the mixture and avoid boiling the whey. Add salt.
- When the whey reaches a temperature of 185℉, stop stirring the whey and allow the Ricotta to rise.
- Dissolve ½ tsp of citric acid in water. Add this in the whey and stir for 4-5 seconds. Avoid adding excessive amounts of acid as the curd would not rise and instead sink. Adding proper amounts will help in separating curd and whey.
- Using a ladle, the curd can be moved to the center of the vessel. Allow the curd to rest for 15 minutes.
- Place a muslin over a colander. Transfer the mixture gently into a coffee filter. Let it drain for over 15 minutes. For obtaining lighter Ricotta, you can reduce the draining time. Chill it below 10℃.
- For obtaining a more rich and creamier version, you can increase the draining time and store it in a fridge.
How to drain Ricotta quickly?
If your store-bought Ricotta is extremely moist, you can use the following method to drain Ricotta quickly.
- In a bowl, keep two large cheese clothes. You can use finely made nylon clothes, muslin, or linen as well.
- Using a spoon, transfer Ricotta cheese into the cloth. Avoid dropping the entire Ricotta cheese into the cloth as excess moisture would be transferred to the cloth.
- Gently wrap the cloth around the Ricotta. Pick the four sides of the cloth and tie them.
- Squeeze the cloth gently to drain the Ricotta cheese of excess water. Continue squeezing till the water has drained out. Open the bundle and use the Ricotta.
This method might not be effective in draining the Ricotta completely but it is quick and time-efficient.
How to store Ricotta cheese?
You can keep the cheese in the refrigerator. Remember to keep it in the warmest part of the fridge though. Consume Ricotta cheese as fast as possible because as it is high in moisture increasing its perishability.
What is the shelf-life of Ricotta cheese?
Ricotta cheese has a shelf-life of two weeks. You can keep the cheese refrigerated in the fridge to prolong the shelf-life by 4 weeks. You can transfer the cheese to an air-tight package if the original package was not resealable.
Can Ricotta cheese be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen though freezing will remove the moisture from the cheese and make it drier. For freezing, cut and divide the cheese into sections.
Squeeze the cheese gently using a towel and remove the moisture. Wrap the cheese and place it in an air-tight pack.
How to buy Ricotta cheese?
- Make sure that the cheese has a softer feel. Avoid buying dry ones.
- The color of the cheese should be constant.
- Check the expiry date of the cheese before buying.
How to detect spoilt Ricotta cheese?
- If you detect mold or black spots on the cheese, immediately throw them away.
- If the Ricotta shows a yellowish color, it indicates signs of decay. Immediately throw it away.
- If the cheese has a foul smell or taste, it would not be suitable to use it in recipes, though it is not a definite indicator of spoilage.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the question, “How to make store-bought Ricotta cheese creamy?” methods to prepare Ricotta cheese and store it.
