Last Christmas I received some wonderful food-related gifts from my lovely daughters, who know me so well. One was a Williams-Sonoma “kit” for making ricotta cheese at home.
I know it’s really straight forward to make your own ricotta. It’s the same process as making paneer for Indian food, if you’ve ever done that.
But having a ricotta-making kit makes it more fun. It’s like having a chemistry set. Having been a nerd growing up, I loved my chemistry set and I obviously still love that sort of thing.
Here what came in the box:
The rennet tablets is for using the kit to make mozzarella, which I didn’t do today. The directions are simple. Add 1 teaspoon of citric acid to 1/2 cup of water and dissolve.
Use the enclosed cheesecloth to line a colander.
Boil the pot you’re going to put your gallon of milk in, along with a slotted spoon, for 5 minutes to sterilize. You’re not supposed to use a metal pot.
Empty the pot of the boiling water, then pour in the gallon of whole milk. Add the dissolved citric acid, as well as 1 teaspoon of cheese salt.
Slowly heat the milk, without allowing it to boil, till it reaches 180 – 185 degrees Farenheit.
Turn off the stove at that point and let the pot sit for 10 minutes. Then pour the contents of the pot into the waiting colander.
After just a few minutes, I lifted the corners of the cheesecloth, and you can already see that the ricotta is thickening and forming.
I don’t want a watery ricotta, so I tied up the “bag” of ricotta and hung it from my kitchen sink faucet for about 1 hour. I think this is allowed.
Then I stored the fresh ricotta in a plastic bowl lined with a couple of paper towels.
Sorry, I tried, but this is a completely ridiculous post! There is no way you were a nerd growing up!
okay. maybe this will convince you. as a geologist, I looked at rocks with microscopes.
I’ve never made ricotta but it’s so satisfying making your own cheese, isn’t it. I bet it tasted delicious. When I was in Puglia 3yrs ago we were given it with local rosemary honey for breakfast.
Oh my, that sounds pretty incredible.
Wow! That looks amazing! What a cool gift to receive :)
I know! Love my daughters!!!
That looks so fun! :)
It’s so fun and easy!!!
This looks so fun! I’ve always wanted to make my own ricotta, but never tried. Thanks for sharing this :)
It’s so easy. I want to do it with different milks, like goat.
Yum, looks good :)
It was lighter and fresher than store-bought, without being watery, either. Nice.
What a great present! :)
I know! My daughters are good to me!
Your ricotta is great, it is fun to make isn’t it. I have made it before but used a metal pot, do they say why? Reactivity with citric acid?
I’ve always assumed there would be a metallic taste? But I have no idea. Good question.
I made my ricotta in a metal pot not aluminum but stainless steel all clad and didn’t notice a metallic taste but I didn’t use citric acid I used buttermilk.
i guess i could google it but i’m too lazy!
I love fresh homemade ricotta! I’ve found a source for raw sheep’s milk and I’m going to make sheep’s milk ricotta soon.
If you don’t have citric acid, you could also use lemon juice (which is basically water + citric acid + a bit of sugar) or distilled vinegar.
P.S. You didn’t struck me as a nerd, either ;-)
I’ve only made paneer before, many times, using lemon juice. I just loved the idea of my own kit!!! It was fun. I want to try different milks as well, like goat.
OMG I’ve had too much wine. didn’t strike, not didn’t struck!
Hahaha! I knew what you meant. I used to study rocks for a living. And I loved it!
This looks like such a fun thing to do! I must try it! Thanks for the inspiring post!
And thank you for the sweet comment!
I love the simple alchemy of making ricotta, and the cheese I’d so much better than any you can buy. Cooking is chemistry so I think I’ a nerd too
nerds rejoice!
Gosh, I haven’t made cheese is so long. You have inspired me.
We should all make it all the time! it’s so easy.
Your ricotta looks wonderful, so creamy :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru!!!
I’ve been wanting to make ricotta for quite some time. Unfortunately, it seems like there are always life issues which make it impractical. Hopefully, one day soon…
I completely understand. It would be a great project for a rainy sunday morning.
Glad you used your kit. -:)
Thank you! I felt scientific!!!
Fresh homemade ricotta is one of the most glorious things I’ve ever made. I hope this post encourages people to try it themselves. :-)
I do too! It’s just so easy.