Ricotta Cheese - It's Not Just for Lasagna!

Ricotta cheese has a lovely creamy texture and light flavor that makes it a very versatile ingredient. While it's traditionally used in Italian casseroles and desserts such as lasagna or cannoli, it's also a great way to lighten up certain dishes or as a base for dips and spreads. A serving of part-skim ricotta has only 90 calories and 6 grams of fat, as well as 25% of your RDA of calcium, and it's also high in protein and low in sodium.

Use ricotta as a bruschetta topping. For a flavorful and light appetizer mix ricotta with some pesto and/or tapenade and spread over toasted or grilled slices of French bread. Top with a slice of ripe red tomato and a sprinkle of chopped Italian parsley. You can serve it warm or at room temperature.

Ricotta cheese is also a delicious pizza topping. Mix a container of part-skim ricotta with a clove of minced garlic, salt, pepper, chopped basil, and ¼ cup grated Parmigiano cheese. Spread it onto your pizza crust and top with your favorite toppings; mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, olives, shrimp, chicken, sausage, peppers, etc. Or else you can just pop it in the oven as-is for a delicious white pizza. Drizzle with a tablespoon of good quality olive oil as soon as it's finished.

Place a paper towel in a strainer over a bowl. Spoon in ricotta and let drain in the fridge until it's thick and rich. Use this as a base for a dip or spread. Mix in garlic or shallots, fresh chopped herbs and lemon or lime juice. Serve with toasted pita wedges, fresh fruit and sliced carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and any other favorite dipping veggies.

Use ricotta in pancake and waffle batter. It creates a rich, fluffy texture without adding a lot of fat or calories. It's also delicious in muffins, quick breads, and cakes in place of sour cream or milk. If using it as a milk replacement, make sure to thin it out with some milk or buttermilk or the batter will be too thick and dry.

Mix up part skim ricotta with some sugar or Splenda, cinnamon, a handful of mini chocolate chips, orange zest and a splash of orange juice and chopped, toasted almonds or walnuts. Spread this mixture between French toast slices or roll up into crepes for a special brunch, breakfast or quick and easy dessert. You could also put a dollop of this mixture on top of grilled or fresh fruit, such as peaches or figs, for a creamy yet healthy dessert or snack.

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you to incorporate this deliciously creamy and healthy cheese into your diet. It's the perfect ingredient to make you feel decadent while doing something good for your entire body.