Ricotta Cheese Spread With Lemon And Herbs

Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese or 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 garlic clove (crushed through a press)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leave (stripped from the stem)
• 1 pinch salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 basil leaves (rolled and cut into strip for garnish)

Recipe

• 1 empty the container of ricotta into a strainer and place over a bowl.
• 2 cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. (you can cut down the drain time several ways - 1) don't bother to drain at all, you'll just have a lot more moisture in your final product 2) drain at room temperature for 1 hour or 3) just drain for as long as you have patience and then, proceed!).
• 3 combine drained ricotta, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of the thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
• 4 stir until blended.
• 5 mound onto the center of a shallow bowl or serving plate and drizzle with oil.
• 6 sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1/2 teasonpoon of thyme over the top. garnish with strips of basil.
• 7 serve with crackers, bread, or raw vegetables.
• 8 *i used the 4 hour drain time as the cooking time for this recipe*.