Patrick Oconnell
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It is a soft, fresh cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavour and a creamy texture. Similar to ricotta or cottage cheese, farmer's cheese can be used in place of these cheeses in recipes such as lasagna, pasta shells, ravioli, and pierogies. It can also be used as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, and pitas, or as a topping for salads. For a sweet option, farmer's cheese can be mixed with sugar and cinnamon and used as a filling for French toast. It can also be used in cheesecake, providing a less sweet alternative to cream cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, slightly tangy and sweet |
| Texture | Soft and fresh |
| Use cases | Spread on bagels, bread, wraps, pitas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, French toast, pizza, cheesecake |
| Substitutes | Feta, ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese |
| Health benefits | 99% lactose-free, packed with probiotics |
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What You'll Learn
As a spread on sandwiches, wraps, pitas, bagels, and toast
Farmer cheese is a mild cross between ricotta and cream cheese. It is a spreadable cheese with a mild, slightly sweet flavour, making it a versatile ingredient. It can be used as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, pitas, bagels, and toast.
Farmer cheese can be spread on warm slices of crusty, golden-brown bread or a lightly toasted bagel. It can also be used as a substitute for cream cheese on a bagel. For a more savoury option, farmer cheese can be topped with olive oil, flaky salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Farmer cheese can also be used as a substitute for mayonnaise and mustard on sandwiches. It can be used as a spread on wraps and pitas, adding a creamy texture to the meal.
In addition to being a spread, farmer cheese can be mixed with powdered sugar and cinnamon and spread into slits in bread before frying up French toast. It can also be added to spinach-artichoke dip or served as a dip on its own with crackers or crudités for scooping.
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As a filling for pasta, lasagna, ravioli, pierogies, and more
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a filling for various types of pasta, including lasagna, ravioli, and pierogies. Here are some ways to use farmer's cheese as a filling for these dishes:
Lasagna
Farmer's cheese is an excellent alternative to ricotta and other fresh cheese varieties in lasagna recipes. Its mild flavour, creamy texture, and protein content make it a satisfying and delicious option. For a unique twist on traditional lasagna, try making lasagna roll-ups. Start by spreading a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a glass dish. Take a lasagna noodle and spread a few tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto it, making sure it's evenly coated. Roll up the noodle and place it seam-side down in the dish. Repeat this process with the remaining noodles and cheese mixture. Top each roll with additional pasta sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, or basil, if desired. Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for about 50 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes. Serve hot with a salad and a glass of creamy kefir for a complete meal.
Ravioli
Ravioli is another type of filled pasta that can be made with farmer's cheese. To make ravioli from scratch, you'll need to prepare the pasta dough, filling, and assemble the ravioli. For the cheese filling, a combination of ricotta, mascarpone, and fresh basil is recommended. It's important to drain the ricotta overnight before mixing it with the other ingredients to ensure a thick and creamy texture. Once the filling is prepared, roll out the pasta dough into sheets, place tablespoons of the filling onto the dough, and assemble the ravioli. These can be frozen for make-ahead storage. Serve your homemade ravioli with a simple pomodoro sauce and enjoy!
Pierogies
Pierogies, also known as Pierogi z Serem, are traditional Polish dumplings that can be made with a variety of fillings, including farmer's cheese. For the dough, a simple combination of flour, eggs, water, and salt is typically used, but you can also add sour cream, butter, or gluten-free flour for different variations. The farmer's cheese filling is usually mixed with eggs and a touch of sugar, creating a creamy and slightly sweet mixture. You can also add vanilla sugar or fresh vanilla bean for extra fragrance and sweetness. After preparing the dough and filling, roll out the dough, cut it into circles, and place a heaping teaspoon of the cheese mixture onto each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, making sure to seal the edges well to prevent leakage. Boil the pierogies until they float, then cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. For a crispy exterior, sauté them in butter until golden brown. Serve with sour cream, powdered sugar, honey, or fresh fruit for a delicious dessert or appetizer.
Farmer's cheese is a versatile and tasty option for filling pasta, lasagna, ravioli, and pierogies. With its creamy texture and mild flavour, it complements a range of sweet and savoury dishes, making it a great choice for those looking to experiment with different types of cheese in their cooking.
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As a substitute for feta in pasta and Greek salad
Farmer cheese, also known as queso fresco, is a Mexican cheese that can be used as a substitute for feta in pasta and Greek salad. It has a mild, slightly salty taste and a crumbly texture similar to feta, although it lacks the tanginess of feta that is often desired in Greek or Mediterranean-inspired dishes. However, it can still be an excellent choice when a milder, crumbly cheese is preferred.
When using farmer cheese in pasta, it can be crumbled or melted, similar to feta. It can also be mixed with other ingredients without overpowering their flavours due to its mild taste. For example, it can be combined with herbs, olive oil, and spices to create a marinade, adding extra flavour to the dish.
In a Greek salad, farmer cheese can be crumbled over the other ingredients, providing a salty and tangy element without being as sharp as feta. It can also be used in place of feta in other Greek dishes, such as pastries, sandwiches, or wraps.
Other suitable substitutes for feta in pasta and Greek salad include goat cheese, which has a similar texture and mouthfeel to feta, and ricotta, which has a similar taste and is also used in recipes originating from the same region. For those seeking a vegan option, tofu can be used as an alternative, although it requires additional seasoning to replicate the tanginess of feta.
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As a base for dips
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a base for dips. It is a type of fresh acid-set cheese, often made by curdling milk with an acid like lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar. The cheese has a soft, crumbly, and slightly tangy flavour, similar to ricotta or cottage cheese but denser and sliceable. Its mild flavour makes it a versatile kitchen ingredient, perfect for creating dips.
When making dips with farmer's cheese, you can blend it with yogurt, sour cream, or mayonnaise. You can also add milk to make the dip creamier. Farmer's cheese can be seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and garnished with fresh herbs. It can be served with crackers or crudités for dipping.
For a simple farmer's cheese dip, mix the cheese with sour cream and flavour with garlic and fresh dill. This dip can be served as a side for dill potatoes or fresh vegetables. You can also drizzle olive oil on top and garnish with extra dill or green onions. This dip can also be served as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, and pitas.
Farmer's cheese can also be used to make a variety of other dips, such as hot honey ranch, smoky carrot, or spinach artichoke. You can add different seasonings and ingredients to create dips that suit your taste preferences.
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As a cheesecake filling
Farmer cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including cheesecakes. Farmer cheese cheesecakes are a unique and delicious take on the traditional dessert, adding a tangy and sharp flavour to the creamy filling. This type of cheesecake is perfect for those who want to try something new, yet still enjoy the classic flavours of a traditional cheesecake.
To make a farmer cheese cheesecake, you'll need a few simple ingredients for the filling: farmer's cheese, sour cream, sugar, and heavy whipping cream. It is important to let these ingredients warm to room temperature before blending them together to create a smooth and velvety texture. Be careful not to overmix the filling, as this can make it too dense and heavy. The farmer cheese gives the cheesecake a lighter texture than the typical New York-style cheesecake, and its tangy flavour pairs perfectly with a sweet and buttery crust.
For the crust, you can use crushed honey graham crackers or Biscoff cookies, blended with sugar and unsalted butter. This creates a sweet and buttery base that complements the filling. You can also get creative and experiment with different crust combinations, such as almond flour and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
Once you've prepared the crust and filling, simply assemble the cheesecake and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving. This will help it set properly and make it easier to remove from the pan or serving glass. You can also add various toppings to your farmer cheese cheesecake, such as fresh berries, chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or a simple berry sauce.
If you're looking for a traditional cheesecake with a twist, farmer cheese cheesecakes are a great option. With their unique flavour and creamy texture, they're sure to impress your family and friends.
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Frequently asked questions
Farmer cheese is a soft, fresh cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavour. It is made with milk and an acid like lemon or vinegar.
Farmer cheese is very versatile. You can use it as a spread on bread, bagels, sandwiches, wraps, and pitas. You can also use it as a filling for pasta, ravioli, lasagna, and pierogies. It can be used as a substitute for ricotta or cottage cheese.
To make farmer cheese at home, you need milk and an acid like lemon or vinegar. Heat the milk to 185-195 degrees Fahrenheit, then slowly add the lemon juice or vinegar while gently stirring. You can also make it by boiling small cartons of buttermilk, letting them cool, and then draining the whey.
Some easy ways to add farmer cheese to your diet include drizzling it with honey and topping it with fruit, or mixing it with sliced green onions, olive oil, salt, and pepper and serving it as a dip with crackers or bread.
