From appetizers to desserts: Ricotta steals the spotlight in holiday recipes

As the holidays approach, home cooks often search for new timesaving dinner options for busy weeknights or dishes and appetizers that will impress guests at holiday events. While dairy foods are often foundational ingredients in holiday and comfort food recipes, one dairy food — ricotta cheese — stands out this time of year due to its versatility, subtle flair, and nutrition.

Traditionally, cheesemakers make this fresh cheese from whey, a milk protein. To make ricotta, cheesemakers combine liquid whey with milk and vinegar and then heat the mixture until the whey coagulates and forms the soft cheese known as ricotta. While moisture-rich ricotta cheese is slightly firm, it is not a solid cheese. Ricotta also has a smoother texture than cottage cheese, another variety of fresh cheese.

Mild flavor, creamy texture adds dimension to recipes

Ricotta’s light, slightly sweet flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes, making it the perfect addition to holiday recipes. For an easy appetizer, whip ricotta cheese in a food processor. The resulting creamy texture is an excellent foundation for spreadable dips. Select savory seasonings and a swirl of olive oil or sweet flavoring like jam or honey to finish off the presentation. Looking for a new holiday brunch recipe? Try lemon ricotta pancakes. The addition of ricotta makes the pancakes light and fluffy, while the touch of lemon will brighten a wintry morning. For those in need of an easy weeknight dinner or a simple yet crowd-pleasing holiday dish, baked penne featuring delicate pockets of ricotta and gooey mozzarella is the perfect choice. Ricotta also works well in desserts. To create a lighter, airier cheesecake, use ricotta in place of cream cheese.

Ricotta boosts nutrition in holiday recipes

From a nutritional standpoint, ricotta delivers as well. Ricotta is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin B12, as well as a good source of quality protein. Half a cup of ricotta delivers 10 grams of protein. Ricotta cheese is a fantastic low-sodium dairy food to incorporate into dishes and baked goods to help boost the amount of protein per serving, which can make meals more satisfying and filling. Using ricotta as a spread on toast or as a base for a fruit-topped breakfast bowl are two easy ways to add more calcium to meals. Most of us do not regularly consume enough bone-building calcium. Every addition of calcium-rich dairy to meals helps.