Baked Ricotta (+ A Giveaway)
Quick and delicious!
As I mentioned on Friday, I spent my weekend cooking for a wedding (about 100 people) and I’m completely exhausted. I’ll write more about the wedding, the menu, and the whole experience later. I still need to process it!
But I thought I would share a fantastic dip with you all that, in hindsight, I would have definitely included on the wedding menu.
It’s a really simple baked dip from Anne Burrell’s latest cookbook, Cook Like a Rock Star.
So check out this rock star dip and also enter to win a copy of the book!
Baked Ricotta
Yield: Serves 4-6 as an appetizer.
Prep Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients:
2 Cups ricotta cheese
1 clove garlic
1 sprig rosemary, finely chopped
1 lemon, zest only
3 Tablespoons olive oil (plus a bit for finishing)
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pinch salt and pepper
1 baguette, sliced and toasted
Butter, for baking dish
Directions:
1) Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix together well.
2) Scoop dip into a buttered, small baking dish.
3) Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned and hot.
4) Drizzle dip with some good olive oil and sprinkle with fresh rosemary.
5) Serve dip with sliced, toasted baguette.
Adapted from Cook Like a Rock Star
Mixing the dip
There’s nothing hard about this dip. It has only a few ingredients, but each of them pack some great flavors.
The basics!
Just add your ricotta to a large bowl and stir in the minced herbs, crushed red pepper, and lemon zest.
In my opinion, the lemon zest is the most important thing here. It’s a great addition to this dip.
The zest is so crucial.
Stir this all together really well and scoop it into a small baking dish.
I recommend buttering the baking dish so that the dip doesn’t get really stuck to it. Not essential, but definitely worth the 5 seconds it takes in my opinion.
All set to bake.
Bake this dip at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. The dip should be lightly browned on top and very hot.
Finishing the Dip
I guess you could use crackers or pita chips for this dip, but I recommend slicing up a sturdy baguette and lightly toasting the bread. The dip is pretty sturdy and thick so it helps to have a similarly sturdy vehicle to get it into your mouth!
No wussy crackers for this dip.
When the dip comes out of the oven, sprinkle it with some extra rosemary and drizzle on a bit of olive oil.
I housed almost half of this by myself, but it’s definitely meant to serve multiple people!
Yummy stuff.
Cook Like a Rock Star
The publisher for Anne’s latest book was nice enough to send me a copy of the book and also give me three copies to giveaway to you all.
After hanging out with the book for a week or so, I think it’s a solid book.
If I had to give one critique of the book, I would say that some of the recipes are a little too extravagant. I’m not sure how accessible some of the recipes are for most at-home cooks. I picked one of the easier recipes in the book to try out.
But, at the same time, they all look really freakin’ good and she does a good job of walking you through some of the more difficult steps. I guess, at the end of the day, if you want to cook like a rock star, you probably need to learn how to go a bit above and beyond.
So the title is fitting I think. It’s not a book that I would recommend for someone who is just learning to cook, but it’s awesome if you want to take your game to the next level.
Anyway. I’m giving away THREE COPIES of the book! So just leave a comment and you’re entered to win!
I’ll pick the winners at 7PM Eastern Time tonight.
Oh. And make this dip. It really is rock star.
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The dip looks delish! And the book looks awesome too!
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I really want to get this cookbook! Thanks for a chance to win it!
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I LOVE Anne Burrell!! And I love her style of cooking! I would be in rockstar heaven if I had this book in my kitchen! And I will make the dip, because you said so~
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I really like Anne Burrell. I used her recipe to successfully poach and egg for the first time.
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I can't wait to try this recipe! I love ricotta cheese so much!
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Who hoo- I can always use a FREE cook book! ;-)
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Yum…that dip looks amazing! My husband loves Anne Burrell–I would love to win so that I could give the cookbook to him!
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Pretty much any excuse to eat more bread works for me…
My recent post Two Easy Desserts
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I've seen baked ricotta on menus before and never ordered it. You make it look great!
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This looks really good!! I'm a new follower, and I'm really enjoying your blog. Thanks for sharing your delish recipes and tips!! :)
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I can admit it, I'm a cookbook hoarder.
Also, this is so simple, how did I never think of it?
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Yeah I'm a cookbook harder too. I've accepted it and moved on…to a bigger bookshelf around the corner.
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Been reading your blog for about a week now. Very nice! Excited about givaway.
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That dip looks great, think I will try it soon-have a couple of excuses for dip coming up. Thanks, love your blog!
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Looks super delicious and easy!! Now I'm curious what other recipes are in that book!
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Looks like an awesome use for my homemade ricotta…
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I have only seen Ann on a program where she was trying to teach someone with no cooking skill to cook. I liked her for no other reason than she was compassionate. So many of those Food Network programs have celebrity chefs who treat people just awful and their criticism isn’t constructive but rather destructive. I’ve taken to calling that bunch of programs (Chopped comes to mind) the Jerry Springer shows of Food Network.
Oh, and the dip looks delicious!
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I'm always looking for great party food. I'll definitely try this one.
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Nick replied: — October 10th, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
Winner! Congrats Monica!
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This looks delicious!! Can't wait to try… Made the butternut squash/gruyere dip last weekend and it was a hit. Already on the thanksgiving menu! Thanks!!
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That looks positively divine!
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Sounds yummy and kid-friendly, too!
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Definitely making this for one of the Thanksgiving Day appetizers – looks easy. And of course, I would love to have the book!
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This looks like a great party dip and so easy!
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Hats off to you for cooking for 100 people. At a WEDDING no less!!!!!
This recipe looks amazing. I'd love to have a copy of the book too.
Thanks !!
Cristy
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Seeing as my sister-in-law is obsessed with ricotta, I think that this is definitely one to try & pass along!
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I do love most of her recipes when I catch her show, despite her sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm. Might be due to the fact that I usually catch them around 8am when I'm still in bed on the weekends..
My recent post Back to Life
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That looks delicious!
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Would love to win a copy of Anne's book…thanks for the giveaway.
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This dip looks amazing. We are having my in-laws over for dinner tonight, and I think I'll give this a try. Would love to check out the rest of the recipes in this book! Thanks for a great website!!
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Anything with cheese and I'm there.
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Love Anne Burrell! Would love to win this cookbook!
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I adore Anne Burrell. In fact, hers is the only cooking show I watch on Food Network anymore, sadly…
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Looks like an awesome cookbook! Hope I get one!!!
My recent post Featured Artists: Lexi Boeger aka Pluckyfluff and The Giant Skein
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This looks awesome, I love Ricotta!
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I can't party like a rock star so I might as well try to cook like one!
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I would LOVE to try out this book!!
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Anne is my cooking girlfriend :) I want that book!
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Just started making my own ricotta…this would be an excellent way to use it!
My recent post Mohun Bagan A.C.
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This dip looks so easy and delicious! I'm very excited to give it a try! Thanks for all the great recipes and tips! Hope the wedding went well this weekend!
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Thanks for the opportunity to win Anne's cookbook.
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I'm actually not a big fan of ricotta, but this looks like a recipe I could live with!
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Comment! I would have commented even if there wasn't a cool cookbook, though, because I am wondering if that sexy, creamy-looking ricotta in the photos is homemade.
And glad you hear your survived your first catering experience. Congrats!
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count me in for the giveaway!
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The dip looks simple enough but amazingly delicious! Simple flavors are the best IMO!
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I have long thought ricotta was my least favorite cheese in Italian cooking – but this dip looks great!
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That dip (and the book) look awesome – yum!
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yum this dip looks great!
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I'm definitely going to make this! It looks sooo good.
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that looks fantastic! i could eat that for dinner.
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Yum. Ricotta is one of the few cheeses I will be able to eat anymore, so I really appreciate your showcasing this cheese that is best known for making noodles look good in lasagna.
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Awesome post
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Mmm, definitely want to try this
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Wow. That dip looks perfect.
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The dip looks great! Please include my name in the drawing.
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the dip looks and sounds great and the book sounds fun, too!
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That looks delicious, I think it would be good mixed with pasta:)
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Anne Burrell has very "rockstar" hair. Ricotta dip looks yummy!
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This looks so good ! Amazing how sometimes the simplest things…. :)
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yum yum yum
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Ricotta like a rock star! =) Thanks for another great post!
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Love your blog and your recipes. Want to eat this NOW! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
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To take it one step further, make your own Ricotta. Anne actually made some on a recent show of hers. Super simple to make, 6 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, bring slowly up to a simmer, careful not to scorch. Add in 1 TBS kosher salt and 3 TBS lemon juice and let cook for 2 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth lined strainer. YUM! I made it this weekend and it came out great! Now I know what else I can make with it besides crostini… Love your blog btw… new follower. :)
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Looks delicious!
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Okay, this sounds beyond amazing. If I had seen it yesterday, I would have skipped the stuffed shells for dinner last night and saved my ricotta for this instead. Clearly I will be buying some more at the store. Immediately. Drooling on keyboard now.
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I wanna be a culinary rock star!
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Mmmm…this looks awesome. I used to think I didn't like ricotta but it turns out I just don't like it in flavorless versions of lasagna. Now I think it's great!
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I am not sure that rock stars can cook… Don’t they have people to do that for them? But a free recipe book? I could go for that.
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Wow, that dip looks great! I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance to do so!
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I would never think to use ricotta as a base for a dip. Sounds delicious, and I will definitely be making it soon. Sounds like a good base for another favorite dip of mine – pizza dip!
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That dip looks great. I will try it tomorrow, thanks Nick. Oh, and a free copy of that wouldn´t be bad either ;)
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Yum this looks wonderful.
I would love to cook so that it is just edible.
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Yum – that dip looks amazing! I love how simple it is to prepare but it still sounds so delicious. Book looks amazing too!
My recent post Pillows, Piping, & Zippers..oh my!
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I would love to cook like a rockstar! I hope I win the book. Your site has helped me get into the kitchen. Maybe having the cookbook would keep me there ;)
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I will admit that Anne is not my favorite tv personality, but I will not turn down the opportunity to learn to cook like a rockstar! I am glad you survived the wedding catering. It will be interesting to read about it.
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I will admit that Anne is not my favorite tv personality, but I will not turn down the opportunity to learn to cook like a rockstar! I am glad you survived the wedding catering. It will be interesting to read about it.
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I'm a competent cook looking to step up my game… so this book would be perfect!
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I'm always looking for new dips. Thanks for sharing.
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this dip looks amazing! can't wait to try it out!
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Comment!
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This dip looks so good! Thanks for the opportunity!
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This dip looks yummy, cool to find a recipe that showcases ricotta instead of using it as a supporter. Also, I'm kinda obsessed with cook books…so I would love to add this one to my collection.
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It's always nice to have some simple ideas for appetizers. But does this dish need to stay warm? Is it still good at room temperature? Could you leave it out for awhile at a party? Just curious.
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This dip sounds super–I'm going to try it. Thanks!
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Looks like a great recipe! I will have to wait until my next get-together to make it though. Definitely don't trust myself to be alone with that one.
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This looks fabulous…can't believe I've never seen it or thought of preparing ricotta like this before! Can't wait to try it :)
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That is my kind of dip! Cheese + herbs + bread! Yum!
Thanks for the giveaway, I'd like to cook like a rock star instead of just partying like one, lol!
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Hmmm. Never been a big fan of ricotta cheese unless nestled in a tomato-ey pasta shell. But…I trust you. Lemon zest, rosemary, olive oil and I'm already there.
I also really enjoy Ann's cooking/recipes. Thanks for sharing!
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I stumbled upon your website while searching for a recipe and must say that I've been pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the recipes that you post – (I've made many of them)! I love the pictures as well. If you say that "Cook Like a Rock Star" is a good cookbook, I'm tempted to just go out and buy it – but I'll wait to see if I win it first. :)
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Looks good, thanks!
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Wow. Ricotta dip! Whodathunkit? Looks delish Nick. Oh and thanks for the chance to win! :)
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Looks yummy. I have always wanted to try a baked ricotta reipe, and this one looks simple, and the flavors look like they would work together well.
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What a fantastic dip, love the rosemary and lemon accents with the ricotta. I have been creating something similar in my head that involves puff pastry . . . you have (or should I say Ann) inspired me to get er done. Just found your blog. it's fantastic.
My recent post Thai Chicken Satay Pasta
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I would be happy to cook like a roadie at this point . . . thanks for the recipes!!!
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Ooh, I should make ricotta and try this. Thanks!
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I will try this recipe at our next family get together. Thank you for the chance to win this book. Miriam
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I’m always looking for great ideas to have ready for inpromptu getogethers……thanks for sharing this dip.
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Nick replied: — October 10th, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
Winner! Congrats Emily!
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Yay Boulder!
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Yummy cheese! Also, good fake out for the "Tuesday giveaways"
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I was just struggling with what snack to bring to my book club tonight. This looks perfect!
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I would love to check out her cookbook! She is so fun!!
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Cool giveaway – that dip looks scrumptious! :)
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mmmmm looks Wonderful!
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That dip looks amazing! Love Anne Burrell and would love to be able to add this book to my collection!
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Looks good enough to eat. Ha! Put my name in for the giveaway. Would love this.
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I'm not a huge fan of Ricotta, but I might have to try this dip…because I am a huge fan of dips! I check the website multiple times per week and fix something from the website at least once per week. Thanks for the constantly updated blog! Love it!
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Nick replied: — October 10th, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
Winner Jesse! Congrats!
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that dip looks great… i wonder what it would be like with artichoke hearts or sundried tomatoes… thanks for the opportunity with the book!
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The baked ricotta is one of the most interesting recipes I've seen lately. I'm definitely going to try that one. And I hope I win one of Anne's new cookbooks!
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I don't think rock stars cook much… but I'd love a shot at that book!
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Thanks for the review and awesome dip. I really like Anne Burrells little cooking tips and her show-really interested to check out the book. Hope the wedding was a great time!
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I would be thrilled to get a cookbook. Read the blog often and cook lots of stuff I find here.
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Yes please! I love Anne. I think she has mad talent and am so glad she has a book out.
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Looks beautiful and sounds delicious! I can't wait to make this for my family!
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Sounds good to me.
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That dip looks FANtastic. Another one that's quite similar, and also great with baguette slices, is baked goat cheese with tomato sauce. Super easy, and always a huge hit :-)
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This looks awesome! Great idea for the holiday season!
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I'm not a Ricotta fan but I'm trying this on friends Saturday!
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This looks amazing
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Love Anne Burrell – count me in on the giveaway!
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Rock star cooking? Yesplease!!
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Love it! Great Blog.
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this looks so tasty!
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What a great looking dish! The book shows promise! Would love to have one in the library.
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There's something comforting about warm/baked dip compared to the typical cold dips, especially with winter right around the corner. Thanks, Trent.
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this looks amazing. seriously…amazing i say. can t wait to try it with the ricotta i m making tomorrow.
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Oh my, this dip looks so good. Dip is one of my favorite things, dipping food just makes it better, I think.
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Great idea, especially with holidays coming up. I think I would toast the bread though and wouldn't it be great adding in some sun dried tomatoes. The book sounds great too.
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I made this for a dinner party this evening and unfortunately it severely underwhelmed my guests! I don’t know if I baked it too long and dried it out, but there was very little flavour to it and had to add extra olive oil to make it ‘dippy’ , such a shame as the other two recipes I made from this site were a huge hit :)
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This dip sounds perfect for my husband and I’s housewarming party and what brought me to this website today. This giveaway would be an awesome bonus to a this great recipe find!
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Neeeeever mind! I see the giveaway was ages ago. Still excited to make this recipe!
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Nick replied: — June 11th, 2012 @ 1:44 pm
Haha. Yea… you missed the giveaway by a few months Sandra. The dip is worth making anyway though!
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The ricotta dip sounds fantastic. Will definitely be on my next pary menu. Would love to get a copy of Anne’s book. Count me in!
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Can always use a new, good cookbook!
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Now THAT looks good!
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Can’t wait to make this dip! Love ricotta!
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I’d like to know how to print this recipe.
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Nick replied: — April 12th, 2013 @ 2:54 pm
Hey Eileen,
There is a little print icon next to the list of ingredients that prints the recipe only in a nice simple format. Also though you can just tack on “print” to any url to get to the page. So this one could be:
http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/10/baked-ricotta/print
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I just made this to go with a salad for a lunch with my girl friends. It was a huge hit! The lemon made the ricotta have a nice brightness. I finished it with olive oil and thyme from my garden, there are definite possibilities to tweak the recipe. Thank you for posting it!
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