Mascarpone cheese is a triple - cream cheese. It's made from low fat content fresh cream made of cow's milk. These cows are fed special grasses filled with fresh herbs and flowers. Owing to this special diet, a unique taste is often created. The texture of Mascarpone resembles a sticky pudding and its color to that of cream. It is milky-white in color and is spreads easily. For more information on what is Mascarpone cheese and its different uses, read on.
Mascarpone is supposed to have originated in late 16th or early 17th century in the area between Lodi and Abbiategrasso in Italy, southwest of Milan. The name of the cheese is said to have been derived from mascarpa, a milk product made from the whey of stracchino (aged cheese) or from mascarpia, a word in the local dialect for ricotta. However, unlike ricotta, mascarpone is not made from whey. In effect, it is used in various dishes of the Lombardy region of Italy. It is a main ingredient of tiramisu, an Italian cake.
Mascarpone is even used to enrich and thicken risotto, replacing butter or Parmesan cheese. A sample composition for mascarpone cheese is estimated to contain 50% fat, 3% protein and 5% carbohydrate. Read onto know the different uses of Mascarpone cheese.
Uses of Mascarpone Cheese
- Mascarpone cheese can be used as a filling in desserts such as tarts and cheesecake. The cheese provides a unique richness and mild flavor to the items.
- Mascarpone cheese can also be used in pasta sauces. The cheese adds richness to the sauce.
- Mascarpone cheese can be used to thicken items such as soups or risotto.
- Mascarpone cheese can be used as a spread, replacing butter or margarine. This way you can escape the high fat content present in butter and margarine.
- Mascarpone cheese can also be blended into dips to attain viscosity and mild flavor.
- Mascarpone cheese can also be used as a dessert topping just like whipped cream.
- Mascarpone can also substitute for cream in the mix formulation, while freezing ice cream.
