Draining Ricotta Cheese: How Long Should You Wait?

If you're making a creamy Italian dessert, you'll want to drain your ricotta cheese to avoid a watery mess. The length of time you'll need to drain it depends on the consistency you're after and what you're using it for. For a moist, spreadable ricotta, drain for around five minutes. For a cottage cheese consistency, drain for about 20 minutes. For ricotta to use in cannoli, you'll need to drain for at least half an hour. For pastries and baked goods, drain for two to eight hours. If you're in a hurry, you can drain the ricotta by tying it up in cheesecloth and squeezing out the liquid.

How to drain ricotta cheese for cannoli

Straining ricotta cheese is necessary for creamy Italian desserts like cannoli to prevent them from becoming watery. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to drain ricotta cheese for cannoli:

Equipment:

• Small bowl
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Cheesecloth or paper towels
• Rubber scraper

Method:

Place the strainer over a small bowl and line it with cheesecloth or paper towels. If using paper towels, ensure they are sturdy and use two layers.

Add the ricotta to the strainer, using a rubber spatula to gently push and spread the ricotta into an even layer.

Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least eight hours or overnight. The longer you can leave it, the more liquid you will drain off.

After straining, discard the accumulated liquid in the bowl and use the ricotta as directed in your cannoli recipe.

Tips:

• If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a cloth kitchen towel, coffee filter, or 2-3 layers of paper towel.
• For best results, use a fine-grade cheesecloth (grade 50 or higher) for draining ricotta cheese.
• If you are short on time, you can drain the ricotta by hand. Place the ricotta in a cheesecloth or similar material and squeeze the towel carefully and slowly, working from the top to prevent the ricotta from coming out. However, this method may not remove all the moisture.

Draining ricotta for ravioli filling

Choosing the Right Ricotta

Before you begin, select a high-quality ricotta that is simple and has no gums or stabilizers. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even make your own ricotta at home. This will ensure that your ravioli has the best possible flavour and texture.

Draining the Ricotta

To drain the ricotta, you will need cheesecloth, paper towels, or a fine-mesh strainer. If using cheesecloth or paper towels, line a strainer or colander with them. Place the strainer over a bowl to catch the draining liquid. It is important that the strainer does not touch the bottom of the bowl, as this will prevent effective draining.

Now, use a spoon to transfer the ricotta to the strainer, leaving behind any excess liquid in the original container. Cover the ricotta with a clean cloth, paper towel, or a plate that fits inside the strainer. To speed up the draining process, place a heavy object, such as a large can or a bag of stones, on top of the covering.

Timing the Draining

The draining time will depend on your intended use of the ricotta. For ravioli filling, you should aim for a cottage cheese consistency with small, moist curds. This will usually take around 20 minutes. However, if you are making cannoli, you may need to drain for an additional 10 minutes to ensure the shells do not become soggy.

Tips and Tricks

If your ricotta is slow to drain, try stirring it occasionally to scrape the cheese from the sides of the cheesecloth and allow the water to run through. Additionally, if you are in a hurry, you can use the quick-draining method by placing the ricotta in a cheesecloth and squeezing out the liquid by hand. However, this method may not remove all the moisture, so it is better suited for savoury dishes like ravioli than pastries.

Ravioli Filling Ideas

Once your ricotta is drained, you can mix in other ingredients to create a delicious ravioli filling. A classic combination is ricotta, parmesan, salt, pepper, and lemon for a zesty, creamy filling. You can also get creative and experiment with different herbs, spices, and cheeses to find your perfect flavour profile.

Final Thoughts

Remember, draining ricotta for ravioli filling is an important step that will impact the texture and taste of your final dish. Take your time, choose quality ingredients, and don't be afraid to experiment with different draining times and flavour combinations to find what works best for you.

Best tools to drain ricotta cheese

Ricotta cheese is a versatile Italian whey cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. When making recipes with ricotta, it is often necessary to drain the cheese to remove excess moisture, which can make dishes soggy or watery. Draining ricotta will result in a thicker, drier, and crumbly cheese.

Cheesecloth

A fine-grade cheesecloth is ideal for draining ricotta cheese. Look for a grade 50 or higher cheesecloth, which has a tighter weave. This will ensure that the ricotta drains properly and results in a smooth, thick consistency. Line a strainer or colander with the cheesecloth before adding the ricotta.

Strainer or Colander

A fine-mesh strainer will do the best job of thoroughly draining the ricotta. Place the strainer over a bowl to catch the draining liquid. Make sure the strainer has a lot of holes to allow for effective drainage. Avoid setting up the strainer so that the mesh touches the base of the bowl, as this will prevent proper drainage.

Paper Towels

If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use strong paper towels as a substitute. Use several layers of good-quality paper towels and place them over the strainer or colander. This method will help absorb the moisture from the ricotta.

Heavy Object

To help compress the ricotta and release more liquid, place a heavy object on top of the cheesecloth or paper towels. This can include a heavy bowl, a covered brick, or any other reasonably heavy and clean item.

Bowl

When draining ricotta, you will need a bowl to catch the liquid that drains from the cheese. Choose a bowl that is large enough to allow for at least an inch or two of space under the strainer.

Rubber Spatula

When adding the ricotta to the strainer, use a rubber spatula to gently push and spread the cheese into an even layer. This will help ensure that the ricotta drains properly.

By using these tools and following the steps to drain ricotta cheese, you can achieve the desired consistency for your recipes and enjoy the versatility of this delicious Italian cheese.

How to drain ricotta cheese quickly

Ricotta cheese is a versatile Italian whey cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. However, sometimes a recipe will call for drained ricotta cheese, which has a thicker consistency. Draining ricotta cheese can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours, but there are ways to speed up the process if you're in a hurry. Here are some methods to drain ricotta cheese quickly:

Method 1: Using a Strainer and Cheesecloth

This method is suitable for when you need to drain ricotta cheese in a few hours rather than overnight.

• Place a strainer or colander over a large bowl, making sure there is at least an inch or two of space between the strainer and the bowl.
• Line the strainer with cheesecloth, fine mesh cloth, or a few layers of strong paper towels.
• Spoon the ricotta cheese onto the cheesecloth, being careful to leave excess liquid behind in its container.
• Fold the cheesecloth around the ricotta to contain it.
• Place something heavy, like a bowl or a covered brick, on top of the cheesecloth-covered ricotta.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight if you can.
• Remove from the refrigerator and gently squeeze the cheese to see if any more liquid will drain out.
• Discard the liquid that has accumulated in the bowl and use the ricotta as directed in your recipe.

Method 2: Using the Cheesecloth Bundle Technique

This method is suitable for when you need to use the ricotta cheese in a few minutes rather than hours.

• Lay two large pieces of cheesecloth or similar material (such as fine-mesh nylon bags or a high-quality men's handkerchief) over a bowl.
• Spoon the ricotta onto the cloth.
• Lift the four corners of the cheesecloth and tie them together to form a bundle.
• Squeeze the bundle firmly but slowly, working from the top down, to remove as much water as possible.
• Serve the ricotta as desired. This quick-drain method is suitable for eating the ricotta plain or using it in savoury dishes like lasagna, but it may still have a somewhat moist consistency.

Tips:

• If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use strong paper towels, coffee filters, or a thin dish towel.
• The longer you can drain the ricotta, the thicker it will become. For drier, crumbly ricotta, drain for a longer period of time.
• If you're using the ricotta in pastries or baked goods, aim for a drier consistency to avoid a soggy texture.

How to drain ricotta cheese for lasagna

Ricotta cheese is a versatile Italian whey cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury lasagna to sweet cannoli. Draining ricotta cheese helps to remove excess liquid, resulting in a thicker, drier, and crumbly texture. This is especially important when using ricotta in recipes like lasagna to prevent the dish from becoming watery. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to drain ricotta cheese for lasagna:

Kitchen Equipment:

• Small bowl: Choose a small bowl that can comfortably fit your strainer on top, with some space between the bottom of the strainer and the base of the bowl.
• Fine mesh strainer: A medium-sized strainer with a fine mesh will work best for draining the ricotta cheese.
• Cheesecloth: Cheesecloth will line the strainer and help catch any small particles of cheese.
• Rubber scraper: A rubber spatula or scraper will be useful for gently spreading the ricotta cheese.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Place the strainer over the small bowl: Ensure there is some space between the bottom of the strainer and the base of the bowl to allow for liquid drainage.
• Line the strainer with cheesecloth: Lay the cheesecloth over the strainer, ensuring it is large enough to fold back over the ricotta cheese.
• Add the ricotta cheese: Using a rubber spatula, gently spread the ricotta cheese into an even layer in the lined strainer.
• Cover and chill: Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
• Drain for at least 4 hours or overnight: For lasagna, it is recommended to drain the ricotta cheese for a longer period, preferably overnight or at least 8 hours. This will help ensure that the ricotta is dry and won't make your lasagna watery.
• Remove and discard liquid: After the draining period, remove the bowl from the refrigerator and discard the accumulated liquid that has collected in the bowl.
• Use the ricotta cheese in your lasagna: Now your ricotta cheese is ready to be used in your lasagna recipe!

Tips:

• Use a fine-grade cheesecloth (grade 50 or higher) to ensure a smooth consistency.
• If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a few layers of strong paper towels or a thin cloth kitchen towel.
• For best results, use a strainer with a lot of holes to facilitate better drainage.
• The longer you can leave the ricotta to drain, the drier it will become, so adjust the draining time based on your desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions