Bushra Griffith
Mascarpone cheese is a soft Italian cheese that is commonly used in Italian restaurants and is a staple ingredient in Italian households. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Mascarpone is often used in desserts, such as tiramisu, but it can also be used in appetizers and main courses. Some ways to serve mascarpone cheese include using it as a spread on toast, as a dip, in pasta sauces, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, risotto, or even in savoury tarts and pies. It can also be whipped and used as a filling for crepes, French toast, or pancakes. Additionally, mascarpone can be combined with other ingredients to make a salsa or a mousse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main dishes | Pasta, mashed potatoes, polenta, mac & cheese, ravioli, risotto, hand pies, stuffed mushrooms, scrambled eggs, pancakes, hot oatmeal |
| Appetizers | Stuffed mushrooms, cannolis, hand pies |
| Desserts | Tiramisu, cheesecake, chocolate pie, fruit topped with whipped mascarpone, ice cream, crepes, French toast, cakes, muffins, pancakes, chilled mousse |
| Sauces | Pasta sauce, salsa, gravy |
| Dips | Mascarpone with softened butter, pesto, roasted red pepper, pine nuts |
| Spreads | Mascarpone with lemon, dill, salt, and pepper, mascarpone with honey or agave, mascarpone with sweetener and macerated strawberries, mascarpone with sweet chutney |
| Soups | Beet soup, chilled soup, lentil soup, split pea soup |
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What You'll Learn
Mascarpone in savoury dishes
Mascarpone is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of savoury dishes. Here are some ideas for using mascarpone in savoury dishes:
Pasta and Risotto
Mascarpone can be used to finish pasta sauces, adding extra creaminess and silkiness. For example, you can dilute mascarpone with pasta cooking water and mix it with spaghetti, along with a drizzle of oil, salt, pecorino, pepper, and lemon zest. Top it with crispy artichoke slices. You can also make a tomato-mascarpone sauce for pasta, adding dried Italian herbs. Another option is to use mascarpone in a lemon risotto, where it will add a rich and creamy flavour that complements the tanginess of lemon and the floral taste of saffron.
Scrambled Eggs and Toast
For a luxurious twist on scrambled eggs, fold in some mascarpone cheese. You can also spread it on toast and top it with smoked salmon and chives.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuff mushrooms with a mixture of parmesan cheese and mascarpone, and then bake them. These make great holiday appetizers.
Ravioli
Mix mascarpone with spinach and prosciutto as a filling for ravioli.
Mashed Potatoes
Mix mascarpone and chopped chives into mashed potatoes for an ultra-creamy and tangy side dish. Serve it with main courses such as roast beef, fried chicken, or steak.
Galette
Combine mascarpone with parmesan and Jarlsberg cheese to make a rich and tasty filling for a shaved asparagus galette. Season it with cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
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Mascarpone in sweet dishes
Mascarpone is a versatile Italian cream cheese with a high fat content, making it perfect for adding richness and creaminess to sweet dishes. Here are some ideas for using mascarpone in desserts:
Tiramisu
The classic Italian dessert, tiramisu, is probably the most well-known dish that uses mascarpone. This coffee and chocolate-infused layered dessert is simple to make and benefits from being prepared ahead of time, allowing all the flavours to mingle.
Cheesecake
Mascarpone is an excellent choice for no-bake cheesecakes, providing more structure and body than other dairy products. Try a creamy lemon cheesecake or a raspberry cheesecake with a shortbread base. For a festive twist, top your cheesecake with red wine-poached cherries and a mixture of mascarpone and honey.
Trifle
Layers of mascarpone, custard, cherry conserve, mixed berries, Madeira cake, and sherry make for a delicious trifle. For a unique twist on the traditional trifle, try a pumpkin parfait with layers of pumpkin mousse, whipped mascarpone cream, and crushed chocolate wafer cookies.
Frostings and Fillings
The high fat content of mascarpone makes it ideal for frostings and fillings, providing structure and stability. Use it to make a rich chocolate and malt cake with mascarpone icing or a Bûche de Noël with a whipped cream and mascarpone filling that can be chilled overnight without weeping.
Fruit Tarts
Mascarpone is a perfect pairing for fresh fruit tarts. Try a summer fruit tart with whipped mascarpone, a lemon curd and passion fruit tart, or a rhubarb and candied ginger crostata. For a gluten-free option, sandwich ginger biscuits with a creamy, zesty mascarpone filling.
Mousses and Parfaits
The creaminess of mascarpone also lends itself well to mousses and parfaits. Make a boozy muscat and mascarpone mousse or a pumpkin mousse parfait with whipped mascarpone cream. For a simple dessert, layer a creamy mixture of mascarpone, ricotta, vanilla, and orange zest in trifle glasses with toasted cake and pistachios for textural contrast.
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Mascarpone as a spread
Mascarpone is a rich, smooth, and spreadable Italian cream cheese with a high fat content, giving it a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes.
When used as a spread, mascarpone can be applied to bread, toast, bagels, crackers, and seedy rye toast. It can be seasoned with a pinch of salt to taste, and paired with toppings such as sliced tomatoes, grilled vegetables, or smoked salmon and chives. For a sweeter option, mix in some sugar and vanilla, and top with fresh fruit.
Mascarpone can also be used as a base for dips. To make a dip, mascarpone can be combined with sour cream and whisked or blended until smooth and creamy. The consistency can be adjusted by adding small amounts of liquid—for a thinner dip, add milk or water, and for a thicker, spreadable dip, skip the liquid. Season with a pinch of salt, and add spices or fresh herbs such as chives, basil, thyme, or smoked paprika for extra flavour. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes (optional). Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables, or as an appetizer or topping.
For a sweeter dip, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. A citrus twist can also be created by adding lemon or orange zest, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
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Mascarpone as a dip
Mascarpone cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It can be served as a dip with a variety of toppings, pairings and customisations.
Basic Mascarpone Dip
To make a basic mascarpone dip, simply use a whisk or spatula to blend mascarpone cheese and sour cream together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency of the dip by adding a small dash of cream or milk to make it thinner, or skip the liquid for a thicker, spreadable dip. You can also add a pinch of salt to taste.
Sweet Variations
Mascarpone cheese has a natural sweetness that can be enhanced by adding maple syrup, honey or vanilla extract. To make a sweet dip, you can add powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or vanilla extract to the basic mascarpone dip. This sweet variation goes well with fresh fruits, cookies, crackers and pastries.
Savoury Variations
For a savoury variation, you can add spices such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning or fresh herbs such as chives, basil, thyme or spring onion. A pinch of salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can also enhance the flavour. This savoury dip can be served with crackers, crusty bread rolls, ciabatta, pita chips, or an assortment of fresh vegetables.
Storage
The mascarpone dip is best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. The texture may change slightly after refrigeration, so it is recommended to give it a quick stir before serving again.
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Mascarpone in drinks
Mascarpone is a versatile ingredient that can add body, richness, and flavor to drinks. Here are some ideas for incorporating mascarpone into beverages:
Cocktails
When using mascarpone in cocktails, one challenge is achieving clarity while maintaining the creamy richness of the cheese. Here are some methods to try:
- Milk Clarification: Dilute mascarpone with milk or water to reduce its thickness. However, this method may be tricky, as simply mixing with milk might not be enough to prevent curdling.
- Blending: Use a blender or shaker to incorporate mascarpone into your cocktail. This can be a simple and effective way to add mascarpone without compromising clarity.
- Foam: Create a beautiful foam by blending mascarpone and using it as a topping for your drink. This adds richness without affecting the clarity of the base liquid.
- Centrifuge: While this method may be less accessible, using a centrifuge to clarify your cocktail can help achieve a clear and homogeneous result.
Pairings
If you're looking for flavor pairings to complement mascarpone in cocktails, consider the following:
- Aged Rum
- Homemade Vanilla Vodka
- Triple Sec
- Fino Sherry
- Angostura Bitters
Bellini
For a classic Italian cocktail, try a Bellini. This drink combines sparkling wine and peach puree, and you can add mascarpone for a creamy twist.
Coffee-based drinks
Incorporate mascarpone into coffee-based beverages, such as a coffee liqueur drink topped with cacao nibs. The cheese can add a rich, creamy dimension to your favorite coffee creations.
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