Mascarpone cheese: calories, composition, cost, dishes

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Mascarpone cheese: calories, composition, cost, dishes
Mascarpone cheese: calories, composition, cost, dishes
Anonim

Mascarpone is a famous Italian cream cheese from the Lombardy region. It is believed that it was first prepared in the late 1500s or early 1600s. In this article, you will learn the calorie content of mascarpone, the nutritional properties of this type of cheese, the composition, as well as the dishes in which it can be used.

Description

Italian mascarpone cheese is a thick cream with a smooth texture without chunks or grains. The texture of the cheese can vary from smooth and creamy to buttery, depending on how it was processed during cheesemaking.

Mascarpone cheese
Mascarpone cheese

It has a delicate buttery flavor due to its high fat content. The fat content of mascarpone in the dry residue varies from 60% to 75%. In this regard, cheese quickly oxidizes and has a relatively short shelf life. So whether you make your cheese at home or buy it from the store, mascarpone should be consumed within a few days.

Cooking

Mascarpone cheese is based on fresh cow's milk, or rather a cream that forms onsurfaces. No enzymes or thickeners are used in its manufacture.

The resulting cream is removed and placed in a metal container. After separation, the fat-free cream is heated to 85 degrees, and then tartaric or citric acid is added. After about ten minutes, as soon as the cream curdles, the contents are poured through cheesecloth and left for twenty-four hours - until the whey has drained and the cheese has a dense consistency. After s alt is added, then the cheese is immediately packaged and sent for sale.

mascarpone calories
mascarpone calories

The process of making mascarpone is simple enough that you can make your own mascarpone cheese at home.

Nutritional value

Mascarpone contains 437 calories per 100 grams. Of which:

  • fat - 45.9 grams, of which saturated - 24.7 grams;
  • cholesterol - 127 milligrams;
  • carbs - 1.8g;
  • proteins - 7, 1 g.

Vitamins and minerals:

  • Vitamin A - 222.2mcg (25% DV);
  • calcium 105.8 mg (11%);
  • sodium - 56.4 mg (3%).

Alternatives

Due to the relatively high calorie content of mascarpone, if you are on a diet, you should reduce its consumption or find lighter alternatives. Mascarpone's closest cousins are English clotted cream and French crème fraîche, which is very similar to thick sour cream. High quality creamy ricotta, which is made from whey, is alsocan replace mascarpone.

mascarpone price
mascarpone price

Separately, it is worth noting American cream cheese, which, unlike mascarpone, has a lighter texture and a sweet delicate aroma. In the United States, it can be found in small plastic jars in the dairy section of the supermarket.

Cost

The price of mascarpone depends on where you live. In Russia, a package of cheese weighing 250 grams can be purchased in the range from 150 to 250 rubles. Everything also depends on the region.

Dishes

Mascarpone cheese adds a rich creamy flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. It is added to improve the taste.

This type of cheese is often used to make desserts - especially cheesecake and tiramisu. It is also popular as a standalone dessert with fruit or syrup. If you don't want to cook a complex dish, then an easy way is to enjoy the taste of mascarpone as a sweet dessert - sprinkle with cocoa powder, chocolate or coconut flakes, pour honey on top, or serve with fresh berries or dried fruits.

Cake with mascarpone
Cake with mascarpone

It is also mixed with mashed potatoes or polenta to add a nice creamy flavor to the dish. Mascarpone is also added to pasta, alone or with sauce, to give it a rich, creamy texture. This cheese is perfect as a filling for lasagna.

Like parmesan, mascarpone is used to thicken soups and risottos, and when whipped with fresh herbs and garlic, it makes a wonderful sauceto almost any second course.

So now you know the calorie content of mascarpone, its nutritional value and how this delicious cheese is made.

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