Recipes

[PickyPicky3]

There's always a moment when I'm making something with ricotta cheese where I find myself sighing because supermarket ricotta today is not the same as years ago. 

Whole or part-skim, doesn't matter. Brand makes no difference.

I don't know what it is, but something must have changed in the manufacturing process. Starting maybe 15 years ago.

What do you think?

[RespectLife]

I find a HUGE diff with Bel Gioioso compared to all other brands.  It is pricey, but the only one I will use, full milk only.

I remember going to the Italian Mkt as a kid, the ricotta was in a huge slab in the deli counter.  They chopped you a hunk and put it in a container like Chinese take out.

This Bel Gio is the closest I can come.  All others are way too wet.

[SloopJohnB]

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@PickyPicky3 wrote:

There's always a moment when I'm making something with ricotta cheese where I finding myself sighing because supermarket ricotta today is not the same as years ago. 

Whole or part-skim, doesn't matter. Brand makes no difference.

I don't know what it is, but something must have changed in the manufacturing process. Starting maybe 15 years ago.

What do you think?

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@PickyPicky3   Years ago, one of our local Italian meat markets (there were 4 in my area), had fresh, homemade ricotta cheese sold in a tall aluminum container filled to over the brim, covered with saran wrap.  Those were the days.  Best I can find anymore is Polly O brand.  But "they don't make 'em like they used to."

[piperbay]

There is a difference when I buy the ricotta from the Italian store. The recipes always come out tasting so much richer than the store brands.

[ECBG]

DH puts at least 1/2 inch of ricotta and bread crumbs with a little butter on his grilled salmon (not mine).

He says he doesn't dislike salmon, still.....

[deepwaterdotter]

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@RespectLife wrote:

I find a HUGE diff with Bel Gioioso compared to all other brands.  It is pricey, but the only one I will use, full milk only.

I remember going to the Italian Mkt as a kid, the ricotta was in a huge slab in the deli counter.  They chopped you a hunk and put it in a container like Chinese take out.

This Bel Gio is the closest I can come.  All others are way too wet.

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This is the only grocery-store brand that I will use.

[Knit-Chick]

We're very fortunate to have 2 Italian delis nearby so I can get a chunk of fresh ricotta.  Growing up  my parents would take me there and we'd come home and have ricotta sandwiches on fresh italian bread,  just with a little salt and pepper.  So good

[PA Mom-mom]

@deepwaterdotter and @RespectLife Thanks for the info on Bel Gioioso. My store carries it, but I've never tried it. I usually just buy what's on sale, because I didn't find a great difference. I'm going to try this brand next time.