Ricotta is a fresh, mild, unripened Italian cheese. The name means ‘cooked again’ which denotes the original method of production; now made from cow’s milk, it was traditionally made from the whey left over from the production of mozarella and provolone cheeses. White and creamy, it has a fresh, slightly sweet but bland flavour and faintly grainy texture.
Choose
Look for a firm cheese with a mild, fresh odour.
Prepare
Ricotta is very versatile. Either eat fresh as a pudding with fruit (mix some powdered coffee or chocolate in with the coffee if you like), or use as a stuffing in tortellini, lasagne and other Italian recipes. Read our tips on what to do with ricotta.
Store
Keep in the fridge and use within 1-2 days of opening.