Homemade Ricotta Cheese
4 c. whole milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar
Line a colander with a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth that has been folded 4 times over. Place the colander in a non-reactive bowl. In a large sauce pan, heat milk over medium heat. Add the salt and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
If you have a thermometer, heat until the milk reached 185 degrees F. If you do not have one, wait for the milk to reach the point of having a lot of steam and small bubbles near the edge of the pan, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
Add the lemon juice or vinegar.
Slowly agitate the mixture for two minutes to allow curds to start forming.
Remove from heat.
Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
Carefully ladle mixture onto the cheesecloth lined colander. The consistency of the final product will depend on the amount of time you leave the ricotta to drain. For a creamy ricotta, let sit for 3-5 minutes. For a dryer ricotta, let sit up to 20 minutes.
Use immediately or cover and store in refrigerator.
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar
Line a colander with a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth that has been folded 4 times over. Place the colander in a non-reactive bowl. In a large sauce pan, heat milk over medium heat. Add the salt and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
If you have a thermometer, heat until the milk reached 185 degrees F. If you do not have one, wait for the milk to reach the point of having a lot of steam and small bubbles near the edge of the pan, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
Add the lemon juice or vinegar.
Slowly agitate the mixture for two minutes to allow curds to start forming.
Remove from heat.
Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
Carefully ladle mixture onto the cheesecloth lined colander. The consistency of the final product will depend on the amount of time you leave the ricotta to drain. For a creamy ricotta, let sit for 3-5 minutes. For a dryer ricotta, let sit up to 20 minutes.
Use immediately or cover and store in refrigerator.
