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Herbed ricotta cheese dandenongranges

Ann Creber's - Herbed Ricotta Cheese

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Recipes

by Ann Creber

Coming from a long line of Scottish ancestors on both sides of my family, I am afflicted by possessing genes that can't resist a bargain! That is the only explanation I can offer for succumbing to the temptation of buying a kilogram of ricotta which was reduced to a ridiculously low price! And of course, which had to be used rather quickly.

This sends me thumbing through all my old recipes until I found one that I had developed for a client years ago. I was pleased to find that I still enjoyed it, so I am sharing it with you! An excellent addition to an offering of snacks to serve with drinks and maybe with vegetable crudites or crusty bread portions. Also, it is excellent to stuff fresh tomato halves - Very tempting with the mini-tomatoes available now!

INGREDIENTS

  • 400-grams of ricotta
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and mixed with a pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped Italian parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
  • 2 tablespoons shredded basil
  • 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground chilli
  • 3 tablespoons light sour cream OR Greek yoghurt
  • Little salt & seasoned pepper

METHOD

  1. Combine ricotta, garlic, herbs, cayenne or chilli in a bowl and beat until smooth.
  2. Stir in the sour cream or yoghurt, season to taste. Cover and chill for several hours to allow flavours to blend and mellow.
  3. Spoon into a bowl to serve. Offer a small bowl of extra virgin olive oil for those who like to dip their bread chunks into the oil before spreading with herbed ricotta.

With even free-range chicken (the best to use) priced so reasonably, this is an excellent traditional Italian dish to serve. I have heard the word 'cacciatore' relates to hunting, but you can find your free-range chicken at the supermarket or at local farmers' market!

I believe green capsicum is used in the traditional recipe, but as I prefer a more gentle flavour of red capsicum, I have substituted it. Also, make sure your tomatoes are lusciously ripe! You will find all these ingredients at a good farmer's' market here in the Dandenong Ranges!

Ann Creber
The Good Life on 3MDR 97.1 FM
Live to air every Monday 3.00-5.00 PM

*Picture courtesy of Pinterest