South Beach Lemon Ricotta Creme is a South Beach Diet Phase One recipe that I could eat over and over, even when I'm not on the diet.
I love these ricotta puddings. There are several versions on the South Beach Diet. They are simple and tasty. This recipe one took 7 minutes instead of 5 minutes because I had to zest the lemon.
Zesting a Lemon
The easiest way to zest a lemon is to use a microplane grater, which I usually use. We have an old-fashioned zester, which looks like a set of brass knuckles on a stick (ours has a wooden handle), and sometimes I use it.
If you don't have either of these tools, you can use a sharp knife to slice the zest (the outer peel) off the lemon, cut off the pith (white inner lining), and cut the rind into tiny strips.
The zest adds a tartness to the Lemon Ricotta Creme. It also looks pretty when added to the top as a garnish.
What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta cheese is a soft, creamy, and slightly grainy cheese popular in Italian cuisine. It is made from the whey leftover when making mozzarella and provolone cheeses. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and can be used in pasta fillings, lasagna, cannoli, and various desserts. Ricotta is a good source of protein and lower in fat than many other cheeses, making it a popular ingredient in healthier recipes.
What You Need
Besides the zester, measuring cup, and measuring spoons, I use my mini food processor to make this recipe. It quickly smooths out and blends the ricotta and other ingredients, and it takes only a minute to process it. It's such a quick recipe, and it's tasty. Since there's no cooking involved, you have plenty of time to have a great cup of coffee, too.
This creamy and flavorful dessert is packed with protein. It's relatively low in fat and definitely satisfying. Of course, it's not as smooth and creamy as a "real pudding," such as Jackie's Vanilla Pudding, but it hits the spot when you are trying to lose a few pounds or cut out sugar. I know you're going to love this recipe.
Lemon Ricotta Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- zest of one lemon
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 individual packages of sugar substitute
Instructions
-
Mix all the ingredients until well blended.
-
Chill for at least ½ hour before serving.
South Beach Lemon Ricotta Creme Recipe
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- zest of one lemon
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 individual packages of sugar substitute
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients until well blended.
- Chill for at least ½ hour before serving.
More South Beach Recipes
- South Beach Mocha Ricotta Cream
- South Beach Balsamic Chicken
- South Beach Florentine Egg Cups
- South Beach Lemon Garlic Salmon
- South Beach Cabbage Salad
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
