Bushra Griffith
Mascarpone cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It is a key ingredient in the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu, but it can also be used in other desserts such as cheesecakes, cakes, and mousses. Mascarpone cheese can also be used in savoury dishes like pasta, scrambled eggs, risotto, and lasagna. Its rich and creamy texture makes it a great spread for bread, crackers, or bagels, and it can even be used as a substitute for tomato sauce on pizza. With its high fat content and unique flavour, mascarpone cheese adds a decadent touch to any dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Desserts | Cheesecake, tiramisu, mousse, pies, cakes, tarts, ice cream, frosting, truffles, parfaits |
| Savoury dishes | Pasta, lasagna, chicken, ravioli, pizza, scrambled eggs, risotto, polenta, soup, bagels, toast, crackers, sandwiches |
| Fruits | Strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, cranberries, blackberries, summer squash, zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, mint, chives, pear |
| Nuts | Pistachios |
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What You'll Learn
Mascarpone in baking
Mascarpone is a rich and decadent Italian cheese, similar to cream cheese but with a higher fat content, making it perfect for baking. It is an excellent choice for no-bake cheesecakes, frostings, and mousses, as it provides more structure and body than other dairy products. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a popular ingredient in both sweet and savoury dishes.
One of the most well-known uses of mascarpone in baking is in the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu. Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers are stacked with fluffy mascarpone mousse and a dusting of cocoa to create a show-stopping dessert. Mascarpone is also commonly used in cheesecakes, adding a rich and creamy dimension to the dessert.
For those with a sweet tooth, mascarpone can be used to create indulgent cakes. From dense and buttery pound cakes to mixed berry cakes, mascarpone adds a unique flavour and texture to baked goods. Its versatility is showcased in recipes such as the Italian Mascarpone Cake with Raspberry Glaze, where the cheese is incorporated into the batter, resulting in a moist and tender crumb with a crusty exterior.
Mascarpone can also be used in savoury baking. It is an excellent addition to lasagna, creating an ultra-creamy and velvety filling. It can also be used to enrich other Italian classics like Chicken Marsala.
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Savoury mascarpone dishes
Mascarpone is a creamy Italian cheese that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Here are some ideas for savoury mascarpone dishes:
Pasta
Mascarpone can be used to make a creamy pasta sauce. Simply cook your pasta of choice and reserve some of the starchy pasta water. In a pan, heat some oil and cook some garlic. Add the mascarpone, pasta water, cooked pasta, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until all the pasta is coated in a creamy sauce. You can also add vegetables, herbs, or garlic mushrooms to this sauce. Alternatively, try making a lemony mascarpone sauce to coat asparagus pasta, or a pumpkin sauce with sausages and pumpkin pasta.
Lasagne
For an ultra-creamy lasagne, add mascarpone to the ricotta filling. You can also make a vegetarian lasagne with spinach, courgette, and mascarpone sauce.
Risotto
Stir mascarpone into risotto for a creamier texture and richer flavour.
Polenta
Enrich polenta by stirring in mascarpone, then top with brown butter mushrooms and a fried egg.
Scrambled Eggs
For extra creamy scrambled eggs, fold in mascarpone cheese. Serve on toast with smoked salmon and chives, or spoon over crostini.
Soup
Stir a spoonful of mascarpone into vegetable soup for added richness. It also works well as a garnish for tomato soup or gazpacho.
Bagel or Toast Topping
Use mascarpone as a spread on a bagel or toast, and top with smoked salmon and chives.
Pizza
Instead of tomato sauce, spread mascarpone onto pizza dough and top with shaved summer squash and mint.
Savoury Tarts
Use mascarpone as a creamy layer in savoury tarts, especially those with blistered vegetables like eggplant and zucchini.
Ravioli
Mix mascarpone with spinach and prosciutto as a stuffing for ravioli.
Spaghetti
Dilute mascarpone with pasta cooking water, then add to spaghetti with a drizzle of oil, pecorino, pepper, lemon zest, and crispy artichoke slices.
Salmon Puff Pastry
Layer puff pastry with a mixture of mascarpone, sliced salmon, chives, and salmon roe.
Chicken Marsala
Add mascarpone to chicken marsala for a richer sauce.
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Mascarpone in pasta
Mascarpone is a great ingredient to add to pasta, creating a rich and creamy sauce. It is an Italian cheese, similar to cream cheese but with a higher fat content, which makes it perfect for creating a thick sauce without needing to use heavy cream. It also has a more buttery taste than other cheeses, making it a great base for a sauce.
A simple mascarpone pasta can be made in just 15 minutes. Boil salted water and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, white wine, garlic, and lemon zest. You can also add some shallots at this stage, as they have a lighter flavour than onion and won't overpower the mascarpone sauce. Then, add in the mascarpone cheese and stir while it melts into the wine. Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle in some parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss the sauce with the freshly cooked pasta and add some of the starchy pasta water to thin the sauce as desired.
You can also add some vegetables to this dish, such as spinach, zucchini, tomatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms. It is also delicious topped with a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
For a tomato mascarpone sauce, heat olive oil in a large frying pan and add diced onion, cooking for 5 minutes over low heat. Then, add minced garlic and stir briefly before deglazing the pan with white wine and letting it simmer for 5 minutes. Next, add the tomato passata, dried basil, and salt, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Finally, add the mascarpone and stir until the pasta is ready, then toss with the cooked pasta.
Mascarpone is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of pasta dishes to create a creamy and indulgent sauce.
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Mascarpone in desserts
Mascarpone is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of desserts. Its rich and creamy texture and slightly tangy flavour make it a perfect addition to sweet treats.
One of the most popular uses of mascarpone is in tiramisu. The classic Italian dessert layers espresso-soaked ladyfingers with fluffy mascarpone mousse and a dusting of cocoa. You can also make individual tiramisu cups or strawberry tiramisu with a creamy mascarpone strawberry filling. For a twist on the classic, try a lemon tiramisu made with lemon curd, lemon mascarpone cream, and ladyfingers dipped in limoncello.
Mascarpone is also commonly used in cheesecakes, adding a rich and creamy texture. It can be used on its own or combined with other cheeses like ricotta or goat cheese for an extra creamy and tangy flavour.
Another way to enjoy mascarpone is to use it as a frosting or filling for cakes and pastries. It can be whipped into a creamy topping for cakes, cupcakes, and macarons, or used as a filling for pastries and pies. Mascarpone whipped cream is a stable and not-too-sweet option that pairs well with fresh fruit. It can also be used to make a creamy ice cream.
Mascarpone can also be used in more creative ways, such as in a zucchini blossom appetizer with a lobster-and-mascarpone filling or in a pasta dish with spinach and scallions.
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Making mascarpone at home
Mascarpone cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It is a popular choice for desserts such as tiramisu, cheesecake, and frostings. It can also be used in savoury dishes like pasta sauces, lasagna, and crostini toppings. Making mascarpone at home is a simple process that requires only a few common ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own creamy and decadent mascarpone cheese at home:
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream or whole cream (with at least 30% fat)
- Lemon juice or another form of acid
- Skim milk (optional)
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized pot, heat the cream over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon or rubber whisk to stir continuously.
- If using a candy thermometer, heat the cream until it reaches 185°F (85°C). If not using a thermometer, heat the cream until tiny bubbles just begin to break the surface.
- Remove the pot from the heat and continue to stir until the temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Place the pot back on the heat and bring it back up to 185°F (85°C). Continue stirring, then add the lemon juice.
- Lower the heat and maintain the temperature at 185°F (85°C) while stirring for about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat again and bring the temperature down to 140°F (60°C). Continue to stir.
- Pour the cream into a glass bowl and cover with a lid or tea towel. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 3 hours.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean towel-lined strainer. Cover the top with plastic wrap and gently press down on the surface of the cream.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove the plastic wrap and store the mascarpone cheese in a sealed container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Your homemade mascarpone cheese is now ready to use! You can spread it on bread, crackers, or toast, or use it as an ingredient in your favourite recipes. Enjoy the rich and creamy texture of your homemade cheese!
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Frequently asked questions
Mascarpone cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury dishes. It can be spread on crackers, bread, bagels, or toast. It can also be used as a creamy garnish for soups, such as tomato soup or gazpacho. Mascarpone can be added to scrambled eggs, risottos, and pasta sauces for a velvety texture. It can also be used as a filling for ravioli or an omelette.
Mascarpone cheese is commonly used in desserts such as tiramisu, cheesecake, and mousse. It can also be used as a topping for pies or tarts, paired with fruits such as strawberries or rhubarb. Mascarpone can be whipped and sweetened with honey or agave for a delicious treat. It can also be used in frostings, cakes, and cookies.
There are numerous recipes that utilise mascarpone cheese. Some examples include:
- Tiramisu: Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, fluffy mascarpone mousse, and cocoa.
- Cheesecake: A combination of mascarpone and tangy goat cheese for an extra creamy texture.
- Ravioli: Spinach and prosciutto mixed with mascarpone as a stuffing.
- Parfaits: Layers of pumpkin mousse, whipped mascarpone cream, and chocolate wafer cookies.
- Crostata: Rhubarb and candied ginger crostata topped with whipped mascarpone.
