Ricotta

While traditional ricotta is made with the whey leftover from processing other cheeses that rely on starter cultures and rennet, today’s recipe is for quick small-batch ricotta to make at home.

Stella di Ricotta ~ roasted buffalo ricotta and parmigiano reggiano in an aromatic hen broth now available with the addition of prime uncinato truffles from Umbria.

Also noted; comfort foods such as aged duck with beetroot and blackberry, confit pork belly with grilled peach and cauliflower, and hand-crafted desserts like the champagne adn vanilla sponge with mandarin, white chocolate and ricotta.

A second course brought a ricotta-corn blini, a stunning (and so tiny!) spiral zucchini tart and a pair of petite but hearty sandwiches.

Different brands of ricotta vary significantly in moisture content, so strain yours until it’s very thick and dry, as adding sugar thins the consistency.

First, sardines with radishes and a green goddess dressing, then a fresh, herby, smoked trout paté and spicy salami with ricotta and warm honey.

He has an amazing twelve different pizzas available, and the “Friday” with pepperoni and lemon ricotta is a favorite of mine.

Kate Norris of the urban winery Division Winemaking Co. and the Rhone-inspired winemaking project Gamine will pour flights of her signature "delicious wines made for good times," paired with ricotta and marmalade crostini from Sebastiano's Deli.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the provolone, ricotta, Parmigiano, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the black pepper and the nutmeg.

Meanwhile, the health-conscious may be tempted by a ricotta and tomato offering.

Season the ricotta with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.

Spinach Ricotta Ravioli with Sage Cream Sauce at Pranzo Italian Grill.

Spread a teaspoon of ricotta cheese over the crostini, top with a tablespoon of sautéed mushrooms, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

The peas were cooked for only a minute or two then tossed over a snow-white mound of ricotta and thick kefir, to be scooped up with a tangle of pea shoots and crisp new radishes, fat as golf balls.

There were more interesting ideas in the squash blossoms, which were fried in tempura-style batter, dusted with parmesan, and presented with a dip of housemade ricotta, herb salt, and honey.

The tomatoes also added a beautiful punch of acidity to the dish and a dollop of housemade ricotta added richness to each bite.

And though all three breads were mouthwatering, the balancing act performed by the ricotta was my favorite.

And, though I haven’t tasted them, friends say the ricotta pancakes are off the chain good.

Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

For his 1974 Thanksgiving show, he wanted to focus on Penza’s pumpkin-ricotta pie.