substitute for ricotta?

[Vanessa]

Hi everyone. I was reading the thread about jumbo stuffed shells and DH & mom (visiting soon) will not eat ricotta. What else can I use?

[ElinorC]

You could try cottage cheese.

[laurenc]

You definitely could go with cottage cheese istead. I have several recipes for stuffed shells/lasagna type meals that use cottage cheese. I think it tastes great in all of them.

[lorilei]

Firm tofu is an excellent substitute! My husband raves over my manicotti with tofu "ricotta" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

(although if she won't eat ricotta, I'm wondering if she would TOUCH tofu)

[Vanessa]

Thanks everyone http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Now do I crumble this firm tofu?

[goldilocks]

yes, crumble the block tofu and it will start to resemble ricotta cheese. i do mine with garlic, onions, spinach and mushrooms and a good tomato sauce. no one will know. it will be so good and healthy too.

[goldilocks]

i forgot to mention, do not use self stable tofu for this purpose. buy the tofu in the refridgerated/dairy section and use firm tofu. the self stable type will not give you the consistency you want, and it does not taste pleasant.

[Ralph]

I think plain yogurt that has been drained (making it "yogurt cheese") would also make an acceptable substitute.
Spoon the carton on to several layers of paper towel, spread it evenly, & let the towel absorb the liquid until desired consistency. I've also had luck draining it is a strainer lined with a paper coffee filter or cheese cloth.

[Grace]

I agree with lorilei - tofu is terrific (I'm not a huge fan of it otherwise, but as ricotta it's great). I'd mix it with some cottage cheese though, and add some spinach, reggiano parmesano, and maybe an egg and some bread crumbs (but that's not critical). Anyhow, if you do go with the tofu, I wouldn't tell her until AFTER she eats it! I had a huge party for New Years Eve here, with a whole bunch of children too (aged 5 to 15), and everyone devoured the lasagna. The kids kept coming back for seconds, and there was no way I was going to tell them there was tofu in the lasagna! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif