Description
Whipped honeyed jalapeño ricotta elevates creamy cheese with spicy-sweet complexity. Smooth ricotta blends perfectly with honey’s warmth and jalapeño’s gentle kick, creating an irresistible spread you’ll crave on everything from toast to fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 fresh jalapeno, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 2 tbsps honey (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional for brightness)
- Fresh thyme or mint leaves (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Blend Ricotta: Using a food processor or hand mixer, transform ricotta into a silky, lump-free consistency, ensuring a smooth base for the spicy-sweet spread.
- Sweeten and Spice: Mince jalapeno peppers, adjusting heat by removing seeds if desired, then fold into ricotta along with honey, creating a balanced flavor profile that combines creamy richness with subtle warmth.
- Refine Flavor: Taste and fine-tune the mixture, carefully adjusting honey and jalapeno levels to achieve the perfect harmony of sweetness and spiciness.
- Presentation: Artfully transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving bowl, using a spatula to create elegant surface swirls and garnish with additional finely chopped jalapeno pieces for visual and textural interest.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and slightly set, then present with crusty bread, crackers, or as a versatile appetizer spread.
Notes
- Smooth Texture Secret: Use room temperature ricotta for an ultra-creamy, lump-free consistency when blending.
- Control Spice Levels: Remove jalapeno seeds entirely for a mild version or keep some for extra heat, tailoring to personal preference.
- Flavor Infusion Technique: Let the whipped ricotta chill for 15-20 minutes to allow honey and jalapeno flavors to blend harmoniously.
- Serving Versatility: Experiment with different accompaniments like toasted baguette slices, vegetable crudités, or as a unique sandwich spread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg