Ep 21. My Goats & Ricotta

Lidia's Kitchen is a classic cooking show hosted by renowned Italian chef, Lidia Bastianich. In season 8, episode 21, titled "My Goats & Ricotta," Lidia shares her love for fresh, homemade ricotta cheese and the culinary possibilities it offers.

The episode begins with Lidia introducing her backyard goats, who provide the milk needed to make the delicious ricotta cheese. She explains how she milks the goats and processes the milk before turning it into cheese.

Next, Lidia shares two delicious recipes using the fresh ricotta cheese. The first is a traditional Italian dish called gnocchi di ricotta. Lidia shows the audience how to make the pillowy ricotta dumplings from scratch and pairs them with a simple tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for a cozy night in or to impress guests at a dinner party.

For the second recipe, Lidia takes inspiration from her roots in Istria, a region located on the Adriatic coast shared by Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. She prepares a savory pie with spinach, ricotta, and feta cheese, known as "burek." Lidia walks viewers through making the flaky phyllo pastry from scratch and creates a filling packed with flavor.

Throughout the episode, Lidia also provides tips for making the perfect ricotta cheese every time. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality milk and demonstrates how to adjust the pH levels to ensure the cheese is creamy and delicious.

As always, Lidia's genuine passion for cooking and sharing her knowledge shines through in this episode. Her recipes are simple yet elegant, making them perfect for novice and experienced cooks alike. With the help of Lidia's guidance, anyone can create their own fresh ricotta cheese and take their cooking to the next level.

Overall, "My Goats & Ricotta" is a delightful episode that showcases Lidia's culinary expertise and her love for fresh, homemade ingredients. Viewers will be inspired to try making their own ricotta cheese and to experiment with incorporating it into their favorite dishes.