Description
This Whipped Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey is a creamy, tangy spread balanced with a delightful spicy-sweet jalapeño honey drizzle. Perfect for entertaining, it combines smooth ricotta whipped with Parmesan, cream, and aromatic spices, topped with a warm honey infused with jalapeño heat. Serve it with crostini, pita, crackers, or fresh fruit for an elegant appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Whipped Ricotta Dip
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Juice from half a lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper or red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Hot Honey Topping
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 medium jalapeño, sliced
Garnish
- Dried cranberries
- Additional black pepper
Instructions
- Make Jalapeño Honey: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup honey and sliced jalapeño. Stir gently and bring honey to a boil. Once it bubbles and rises, remove the pan from the heat and stir until bubbles settle. Transfer to the refrigerator to cool and infuse flavors thoroughly.
- Whip the Ricotta: In a blender, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, heavy cream, 2 tablespoons honey, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, black pepper (or red pepper flakes), and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining.
- Prepare for Serving: Spoon the whipped ricotta dip into a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create swirling patterns and valleys on the surface of the dip to hold the topping nicely.
- Add Hot Honey and Garnish: Drizzle the cooled jalapeño-infused honey generously over the whipped ricotta, filling the swirls and valleys you created. Garnish with the jalapeño slices from the honey, a few dried cranberries scattered on top, and an extra sprinkle of black pepper for a final touch of flavor and color.
- Serve: Present immediately with an assortment of crostini, pita bread, toast points, crackers, or fresh fruit such as apples, pears, grapes, or figs to create a versatile and crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For a milder version, remove the seeds from the jalapeño before slicing to reduce the heat level in the hot honey.
- Use fresh ricotta for the best creamy texture and flavor; drain any excess liquid if the ricotta is very wet.
- This dip can be made a few hours ahead; keep refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Substitute honey with agave syrup or maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness profile.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an herbaceous twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
