Whipped Ricotta with Honey and Lemon Recipe
A creamy and smooth whipped ricotta dip infused with fresh lemon, rosemary, and honey, perfect for serving as an elegant appetizer with baguette or crackers. This simple yet flavorful recipe combines the brightness of lemon and the sweetness of honey with the richness of whole milk ricotta for a delightful spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Whipped Ricotta Base
- 16 oz whole milk ricotta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey (part of the 4 tablespoons total)
Topping and Serving
- 2 tablespoons honey (for warming and drizzling)
- Fresh cracked pepper, for garnish
- Extra lemon zest, for garnish
- Baguette or crackers, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: Add the ricotta, olive oil, salt, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons of honey into a food processor or blender. This combination will form the base of your whipped ricotta.
- Add Lemon Flavor: Zest the lemon carefully, then add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the food processor. If you don’t have a zester, you can substitute an extra teaspoon of lemon juice to boost the lemony flavor.
- Blend until Smooth: Turn the food processor on high and blend for about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides to ensure even mixing and pulse for an additional 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer to Serving Bowl: Once the texture is uniform and fluffy, transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving bowl, ready to be garnished and served.
- Warm Honey Topping: Before serving, gently warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey in the microwave for just a few seconds. Use a bowl that is large enough to prevent overflow as honey can bubble when heated.
- Final Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the warm honey over the whipped ricotta, then top with fresh cracked pepper and an extra sprinkle of lemon zest. Serve immediately with baguette slices or crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Fresh rosemary provides a more vibrant flavor than dried; adjust quantity accordingly.
- If you don’t have a food processor, a blender or an electric mixer can also be used, but ensure the mixture is whipped until smooth.
- Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture; part-skim ricotta will yield a less rich result.
- Warming the honey gently enhances its flavor and helps it drizzle nicely over the ricotta.
- This dip can be made ahead and refrigerated; bring it to room temperature before serving and stir gently.
