RICOTTA CHEESE SPREAD RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• In a bowl beat ricotta on medium 2 minutes. Add Parmesan. Beat until combined. Stir in next five ingredients (through pepper). (If the spread seems a little dry, stir in olive oil.) Cover and chill 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Place bread slices on a large baking sheet. Bake about 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Turn slices over. Bake about 3 minutes more or until lightly toasted; let cool. Serve spread with cooled toast slices and/or vegetable dippers.

Steps:

• Empty the container of ricotta into a strainer and place over a bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. (You can cut down the drain time several ways - 1) don't bother to drain at all, you'll just have a lot more moisture in your final product 2) drain at room temperature for 1 hour or 3) just drain for as long as you have patience and then, proceed!).
• Combine drained ricotta, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of the thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
• Stir until blended.
• Mound onto the center of a shallow bowl or serving plate and drizzle with oil.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1/2 teasonpoon of thyme over the top. Garnish with strips of basil.
• Serve with crackers, bread, or raw vegetables.
• *I used the 4 hour drain time as the cooking time for this recipe*.