Ricotta cheese is great high-quality protein.  Substitute it for sour creams or heavy creams in recipes. Light- Ricotta is low in fat, yet high in calcium and protein. I had some leftover from Manicotti night, and wanted to try something new. What I made for dinner tonight, really should have been classified as a dessert! I figured my kids would flip for these.  I made crepes filled with berries and ricotta cheese.  They had never had crepes before, but they love pancakes. 

The crepes turned out perfect, and it was even a first attempt for me.   The filling I used was a mix of  ricotta cheese, raspberries, blueberries,  sugar and vanilla.  Pretty fantastic, right? Dessert for dinner is excellent, right?  My kids didn’t think so.

Cereal boy ate it dutifully, remarking, “I wish I had syrup instead of this stuff inside.” But since I said syrup wasn’t an option, he ate two of them.  

The flip-flopper said, “thumbs down! Can I have some chocolate milk instead.”  I didn’t know chocolate milk could substitute for dinner?  I confess, she got some.

Ketchup boy said, “It’s good when I put it in my mouth, but when I start chewing, it starts to get bad.”

So I ate everyone’s, and now I’m sick.

Other ways to use up the ricotta:

• Manicotti or lasagna
• You can mix some spices with it, stuff it into tomatoes and bake.
• Top a pizza with it.
• I think tomorow I may try a Zucchini Ricotta Frittata (It’s just fun to say)
• Mix into any freshly cooked pasta.
• Scoop over a potato casserole.
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Mix with broccoli, eggs, cheese, and ricotta and bake for a breakfast casserole.