Ricotta Cheese Recipes

 

Summary

 

Ricotta cheese is a soft, slightly sweet, mild fresh cheese. Ricotta is similar in appearance to cottage cheese, but has a much smaller, grainier curd and slightly sweeter taste. Ricotta in Italian means “cooked again,” a reference to the fact that it is traditionally made from whey produced from making other cheeses, like mozzarella, feta or provolone. Modern ricotta, on the other hand, is generally made with fresh whole or skimmed milk to which acid is added directly. As a result, most packaged ricottas are a bit fattier and creamier than ricotta made by the traditional method.

 

The original cheese-making process removes the majority of the casein protein from the goat milk (the cheese) leaving behind the liquid whey portion. When left at room temperature, the original inoculating bacteria continue to act upon the remaining lactose in the whey, converting it to lactic acid, and further lowering the pH of the liquid. The lower pH reduces the solubility of the small amount of remaining protein in the whey. Heating the whey then causes the protein to precipitate out as a very fine-grained curd.

 

Each time when you make cheese, you end up with a lot of whey i.e., The nutritious liquid left over from curdled milk when the curds are removed. Whey contains the water-soluble proteins, vitamins, and minerals in the milk. And there are many things you can do with this leftover whey. You can use it in bread baking and soup stock, and even to cook pasta. You can even drink whey plain or sweetened. And in a pinch it can be used to ripen your cheese if you are out of culture.

 

Ricotta is made by using heat to precipitate – separate out the remaining albumin protein from the whey left over from making lactic acid/rennet precipitated cheeses. Usually recipes call for the use of an acid, such as vinegar in precipitating the curds. I have found, that in most cases, due to the fact that you ripen the milk as you make your hard cheese, the whey has enough acid on it’s own and does not need the extra vinegar. I also find that leaving the vinegar out creates a smoother cheese. If you use the vinegar, the cheese will tend to be slightly grainy. Ricotta is not a high yield cheese, but it is worth the effort.

 

 

Traditional Ricotta Recipe.

 

Ricotta Cheese in a Bowl

 

  • Making Ricotta is very simple. Over direct heat, heat the hard cheese whey to 200°. By the time it has reached this temperature you will see very tiny white particles – the albumin protein,  floating in the whey. The heat and acid from the ripe whey has precipitated the protein. You can add a little vinegar at this point if you really think it necessary ( 1/4 Cup. per 2 gallons of whey), it is up to you as it would not affect the Ricotta.
  • Line a colander with very fine cheesecloth, called “butter muslin”. You must use a very fine cloth here, or your cheese will pass through the regular cloth. If you do not have fine cheesecloth, use a clean cotton cloth. Place the colander over a big pot so you can save the whey and carefully pour the whey into the colander. Be very careful because the liquid is hot. Tie the ends of the cheesecloth together and hang the ricotta to drain for a couple hours.
  • When it has drained, place the ricotta in a bowl and add salt to taste. You will find that the Ricotta made from the whey of different cheeses has different tastes and textures.

 

In my opinion, Feta makes the strongest taste as the taste increases as it ages in the fridge. Whereas, Mozzarella makes the best. Your Ricotta will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge. Enjoy!

 

* Note: You cannot make Ricotta from the whey left over from making an acid precipitated cheese such as Paneer/ Queso Blanco or whole milk Ricotta. Reason being, you have already precipitated out all the albumin protein the milk has to give using acid and heat and there is nothing left over in the remaining whey to make whey Ricotta.

 

 

Click the link Chhana to view the details.

 

More Soft Cheeses Recipes for Beginners. Check them out NOW!

 

 

 

Modern Ricotta Recipe.

 

Putting Ricotta Curds in Bowl

 

Though it is not traditional but,  it is nice to be able to make ricotta out of plain whole goat milk you can buy at the store. The Ricotta cheese  will be drier and not as smooth and creamy as the traditional  Ricotta cheese. Anyway, it tastes great and can be used as a ricotta substitute in most recipes.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts whole goat milk
  • 3 Tablespoons white vinegar or ¼ Cup fresh, lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp – ½ tsp salt to taste

 

Directions:

  • In a heavy pot, over direct heat, heat 2 quarts of whole goat milk to 200°F. Add 3 Tablespoons of white vinegar or 1/4 Cup of fresh, strained lemon juice. Make sure to bring the temperature back up to 200°F. You will realize that very tiny white particles called albumin protein, floating in the whey. The heat and acid from the ripe whey has precipitated the protein.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and set it, covered, to rest undisturbed for about 15 minutes.
  • Line a colander with very fine cheesecloth, called “butter muslin”. You must use a very fine cloth here, or your cheese will pass through the regular cloth. If you do not have fine cheesecloth, use a clean cotton cloth. Place the colander over a big pot so you can save the whey and carefully pour the whey into the colander. Be very careful because the liquid is hot. Tie the ends of the cheesecloth together and hang the ricotta to drain for an hour or so because the longer you hang it, the drier your finished cheese will be.
  • When it has drained, place the ricotta cheese  in a bowl, break up, stir and add salt to taste.

 

The ricotta cheese will keep for about a week in the fridge.

 

You can use your homemade ricotta in almost any recipe that calls for cottage cheese. It can be used instead of cream cheese to make cheesecake. You can also stir in some herbs and eat it on crackers.

 

Click the link Fried Cheese Sticks to view the details.

More  Goat Cheese Recipes, Check them out NOW!

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Learn How Goats Milk Products Benefits the Elderly

 

 

Various goat milk products including fresh milk, milk powder, fermented, frozen, condensed and dehydrated milk, and skin care products are produced in many countries. Goat milk plays a vital role in our body and skin as well.

 

As we age, the changes in our bodies create challenges for sufficient nutrient intake and absorption. Goat milk and dairy goat products provide good source of protein, calcium, minerals, vitamins and beneficial fats to fulfill elderly adults nutritional requirements.

 

Normally, elderly adults lack the motivation to cook nutritional meals especially if it has been their daily routine throughout their entire life. Therefore, dairy goat products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt which do not require cooking or preparation, when combined with other nutritious, ready-to-eat foods like fruits, bread or crackers, can provide a nutrient-dense, protein-rich meal with little effort.

 

Elderly adults with gum and mouth problems, like dentures or missing teeth, along with reduced saliva production, create problems chewing and swallowing solid foods. Goat milk and soft cheeses require no or little chewing, and can be combined with other soft foods to provide variety, like pureed fruits.

 

Many elderly adults tend to drink less than optimal amounts of liquids due to reduce sensation of thirst. Milk is nearly 90 percent water, and can provide hydration in a form that many elderly adults find more appealing than water. Milk is also easily flavored to suit particular tastes.

 

Some elderly adults take diuretics, which cause elevated excretion of important minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. Goat milk has 134 per cent more potassium than cow milk, and also has higher levels of magnesium.

 

Food moves more slowly through the gastrointestinal tract of the elderly adults , often resulting in constipation. Goat milk is highly digestible and 100 per cent of the protein in milk is absorbed before it reaches the large intestine. Cultured goat milk products, such as yogurt, buttermilk and kefir, also contain bacteria that are beneficial to gastrointestinal health.

 

Elderly adults often complaint of lack of appetite, their taste have changed and the texture of many foods are disagreeable. Lack of appetite combined with reduced nutrient absorption can cause weight loss and dwindling muscle tissue. Whole goat milk is calorie and protein-rich, containing more fat, protein and amino acids than cow milk. Goat milk and dairy goat products have mild taste and the smooth textures are usually easily accepted. They are also easy to blend with cooked foods and milk, plain yogurt or sour cream can be used to moisten foods which would otherwise be dry or difficult to chew.

 

 

Skin Care

 

Goat milk is also great for your skin because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins as well as high in lactic acid which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and soften your skin. Elderly skin care is a very important health concern for aging adults. While our skin is generally ignored throughout life unless we have a cut, a rash, an itch, or a burn, etc., Skin is our largest and important organ – adults carry some 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and 22 square feet (2 square meters) of it,  and the  skin plays a much bigger role than just holding everything together in one package.

 

Healthy skin keeps infectious agents from entering the body, synthesizes essential vitamin D from sunlight, manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones and provides our sensation of touch through the various nerves running throughout.

 

The hallmark of goat milk is its gentleness and nutritive properties in digestion, but those same properties carry over to the skin care products, as well. Goat milk skin care products are especially suited for caring for the special challenges that aging skin presents.

 

For cleansing, goat milk soap has the benefits of a lower pH, making it more friendly to the skin’s protective acid mantle, and a high fat content that supplies moisture, while gently removing dirt and dead skin cells.

 

Goat milk soaps also come in a vast array of combinations that include nourishing herbs and other natural ingredients tailored for specific skincare needs. Read the labels or inquire as to the suitability of particular ingredients for elderly skin care, or for other special skin care needs.

 

Creams, lotion and body butters made from goat milk are also especially nourishing for elderly skin. The special fat and protein molecules from goat milk, along with an array of vitamins and minerals, are easily absorbed through the skin, providing hydration, a protective moisture barrier, and nourishment for the skin all at the same time.

 

Isolated rough patches of skin might also benefit from the application of a homemade facial solution containing goat milk yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk. These fermented products contain lactic acid, one of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), known for helping to remove dead surface layer skin cells to leave skin smoother.

 

These goat milk versions of alpha hydroxy acid contain no additional chemicals or preservatives and are not as harsh as commercial products.

 

Conclusion, goat milk and dairy goat products provide an immediate source of energy and important nutrients to you and elderly adults. Additionally, it is also vital to nourish skin from the inside out. Proper nutrition is an imperative component in elderly skin care.

As the saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding.”That pudding was made with goat milk, right?

If you or an elderly loved one suffers from dry, itchy skin, try a cleansing and hydration program based on goat milk. Products are widely available, and come in a range of scents or unscented and added ingredients.

 

 

 

DIY Goat Milk Lotion

 

Raising goats is not just about drinking their milk but it is great in other DIY skin care products as well. You can use it to make Goat Milk Bath or even this beautiful Goat Milk Lotion Recipe.

Making Goat Milk Lotion is an easy and  simple process that any individual can master.

 

Goat Milk Lotion Recipe:

 

  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon beeswax
  • 2 Tablespoon pumpkin seed oil
  • 2 Tablespoon palm oil
  • 3 Tablespoon sweet almond oil
  • 1 Tablespoon apricot oil
  • 1 Cup warm goats milk
  • 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E oil
  • 1/2 Cup Aloe Vera gel

 

 

Procedures:

 

Melt beeswax and palm seed oil together. Remove from heat. After melted, add the sweet almond oil, pumpkin seed oil and apricot oil. With a blender, slowly add the warm goat milk to oil/wax mixture. Add Vitamin E oil as mixture begins to thicken. Beating until mixture thickens and cool to room temperature. Add aloe vera gel to the cooled lotion and blend well one final time. Since goat milk is used it is recommended adding a preservative to extend shelf life. Store in air-tight containers.

 

 

Experiment with different brands and varieties to find one that works best for your special needs.

 

Of course, homemade products are almost guaranteed to be less irritating and more moisturizing than commercial products, not to mention less expensive!

 

 

Want more fun DIY Skin Care recipes? Check out our other soaping post as well.

 

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Types of Goat Milk

saanen
Today,  Powdered Goat milk are manufactured and marketed in most part of the world besides the United States. Powdered products available include Full Cream Milk Powder (Whole milk), Skimmed milk, Whey and infant foods.

 

Full Cream Milk Powder(Whole Milk)

 

The high fat content of full cream goat milk powder imparts it with a creamy flavor, and renders it suitable for a wide range of applications in the food industry.

Full cream goat milk powder is manufactured by spray-drying whole fresh goat milk. The goat milk powder contains the natural content of fat and protein present at the time before the goat milk is spray-dried. These contents are subject to seasonal fluctuation. However the process can be modified to incorporate the standardization of the fat and protein content, should this be required for a specific application.

Full cream goat milk powder is suitable for use in a wide variety of foods such as, for example, dairy drinks and desserts, cheese, ice-cream, infant and follow-on formula, nutritional supplements and tablets.

 

Nutritional information (100 g):

Full cream milk powder (100 g) contains 523 Calories; – Total Fat 31g, Saturated 21g, Mono Unsaturated 7.4g, Poly Unsaturated 1,2g, Trans fatty acid 0,3g, Cholesterol 80mg, Carbohydrates 35g, Sugars 35g, Protein 26g.

 

Skimmed Goat Milk Powder

 

Certain applications may require the use of a goat milk powder with a lower fat content. Therefore skimmed goat milk powder is developed.

Skimmed goat milk powder is manufactured by spray-drying the skimmed goat milk that remains subsequent to the separation of the fat from the whole goat milk.

Skimmed goat milk powder is suitable for use in a wide variety of foods such as, for example, dairy drinks and desserts, cheese, ice-cream, infant and follow-on formulae, nutritional supplements and tablets.

 

Standard specification skimmed goat milk powder

Chemical characteristics:

Protein 39% (typical)
Fat 1.5% (maximum)
Moisture 5.0% (maximum)
Lactose 46% (typical)
Ash 9% (typical)

 

Goat Whey Powder

 

Goat whey powder is a unique product! Goat whey is a by-product in the production of cheese from goat milk.

Goat whey powder is obtained by concentrating and drying the whey produced during the manufacture of goat cheese. If so required, the whey can be partially desalted prior to drying.

Suppliers of whey powder offer a mixed whey powder, made from whey powder based on different sorts of milk. But  goat milk whey powder is made from pure goat milk whey without the additions of other sorts of milk whey powder.

 

What are the benefits of goat whey?

Goat whey contains approximately half of the milk sugars (lactose) compared to cow milk and, in addition, a richer amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. Goat whey contains greater amounts of amino acids like linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, as compare to cow whey. Goat whey contains bioorganic sodium, which the body can use to keep the joints limber and reduce inflammation in the joints.

In addition, goat whey powder and partially desalted goat whey powder can be used as an ingredient in children’s and dietary foods, in dairy products,  such as yoghurt, in bakery products, in confectionery, and in sectors like healthcare and pharmaceutical products.

Besides powered goat milk  there are different goat milk compositions as well, including:
cream

Goat Milk Cream

 

Goat milk cream is made by separating fresh goat milk into cream and skim milk. The goat cream is then pasteurized and packaged.

Goat milk cream is often used in the ice-cream industry. It is also particularly appropriate for the standardization of cheese milk.

Different ingredients (sugar and stabilizers) may be added.

 

Evaporated Milk

 

Today, Evaporated Goat milk are manufactured and marketed in most part of the world besides the United States. Evaporation is usually done under reduced pressure, primarily to allow boiling at a lower temperature to prevent heat damage.

 

Nutritional facts:

Evaporated goat milk per serving (2 tablespoon) contains 35 Calories; – Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium 30mg, Total Carbohydrates 3g, Sugars 3g, Protein 2g, Calcium 8% (% based on a 2,000 calorie diet)

 

Flavored goat milk

 

It is milk to which some flavors have been added. When the term milk is used the product should contain a milk fat percentage of a least equal to the minimum legal requirement for market milk. But when the fat level is lower (1-2 per cent) the term ‘drink’ should be used.

 

Acidophilus Milk

 

It is fermented milk, produced by development in milk of a culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is claimed that acidophilus milk has therapeutic and health promoting properties. It is also claimed that the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus under the conditions existing in the intestinal tract will replace undesirable putrefactive fermentation with a beneficial lactic fermentation.

 

Carrot Milk

 

The rich nutrient content of carrot, especially, Vitamin A and its precursor carotene cannot be questioned. It is also rich in health giving fibre. Some people relish carrot as such in its raw form and some cook and use it. Another form of utilization is extraction of juice from carrot. But carrot juice when consumed as such will not be tasty. It has to be added with sugar. Just to make the carrot juice tasty and at the same time utilize the nutrients present in the juice in its natural form, carrot juice can be added with goat milk to make “CARROT MILK”.

 

How to Prepare Carrot Enriched Goat Milk?

It is refreshingly cool and a fine way to welcoming your guest with that cool CARROT ENRICHED GOAT MILK!

Ingredients::

  • 1 Litre Goat Milk
  • 100 gm Carrot
  • 100 gm Sugar
  • A few Cardamon

 

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Instructions:

  • To prepare carrot enriched goat milk, the required quantity of carrot is thoroughly washed and cleaned.  Then it is cut into small pieces or it can be grated into fine pieces in a grater and beaten thoroughly after adding small quantity of water in a grinder or mixer
  • The outer covering of cardamom is removed and beaten in a mixer or grinder along with small quantity of sugar.
  • The required volume of milk is taken in a container and boiled. Now add the carrot mixture and required quantity of sugar and pulverized cardamom-sugar mixture in to the boiling goat milk and keep boiling for a few minutes.
  • Then stop the boiling process, filter the milk containing the carrot through a clean muslin cloth or any good filter, cool it and yes, you get the carrot enriched milk, rich in vitamin A.

 

Scientific evidence shows that the normal beta carotene (precursor of vitamin A) content of goat milk, carrot juice and carotene enriched milk is 0.45, 60 and 5.9 micrograms per ml respectively. There was no significant reduction in beta carotene content of the carotene enriched milk (vitaminized or  carrot enriched milk) when stored at 5°C during one week storage. The daily requirement of vitamin A is 5000 IU and 200 ml of the carotene enriched milk meets 20 per cent of the daily requirement of vitamin A.

 

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