This Creamy Homemade Ricotta Cheese with Honey and Herbs is incredible. It's creamy, delicious, and makes the perfect flavorful cheese dip!
Ingredients
3c.pasteurized whole milk
1c.pasteurized heavy cream
½tsp.kosher salt
3T.freshly squeezed lemon juice
a delicate and flavorful honeyI recommend Mitica Orange Blossom Honey
fresh thymechopped
fresh rosemarychopped
flaky sea salt
freshly cracked black pepperground fine
Instructions
Add milk, cream, and salt to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until milk reaches 190° F. Remove pan from heat and add the lemon juice, then stir it just once or twice, gently and slowly, to incorporate. Let pan sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to let curds form.
Wet a double layer of cheesecloth and ring out. Lay cheesecloth over the inside of a fine mesh strainer or colander that is set over a large heatproof bowl. Pour the curds and whey into the colander and let the curds strain for at least an hour, for very tender and loose ricotta. Strain for an additional hour or two for a ricotta that is firmer, like a very soft and tender cream cheese. Discard whey or save it for another use. Remove ricotta from the cheesecloth and enjoy immediately or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To serve the ricotta with honey and herbs...in a small dish with sides, mound some of the ricotta in the center. Drizzle a bit of honey over and around the ricotta and then scatter lightly with fresh thyme and rosemary. Finish with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately with crisp salty crackers. Some blackberries would be lovely with this, too!
Notes
Appetizer inspired by a celebratory birthday meal at Black Sheep Pizza. Homemade ricotta very slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen, originally from Salvatore Bklyn via Tasting Table.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.