[1] Lay out the ingredients for the easiest DIY dessert. [2] Ricotta salata, made in a mold, is salted. It’s better for a DIY with savory toppings (photos courtesy Good Eggs). [3] and [4] Crunchy Wasa Thins in Sesame & Sea Salt, also available in Sea Salt & Rosemary (photos courtesy Wasa).

You may know ricotta from cannoli and cheesecake. They’re delicious desserts, but require some preparation.

For summer, there’s another option: The 5 Minute Ricotta Dessert Bowl, as created by Good Eggs, a top-quality online grocer in San Francisco.

Yes, in just five minutes you can set ingredients on the table, DIY-style, and everyone can have fun (and good nutrition!) customizing their bowls.

 
RECIPE: DIY RICOTTA BOWLS

Ricotta is actually not a cheese but a by-product of cheese-making which uses the whey drained from other cheeses. Whey is the watery part of milk that remains after the formation of the curds. In fact, the name means “re-cooked.” Here’s more ricotta information.

You can even make your own ricotta at home. Here’a a recipe from Williams-Sonoma.

Turn it into a build-your-own dessert—no cooking, no heat, cool comfort food.

Ingredients For 4-6 Servings

 
Savory Ingredient Options

Use the same nuts/seeds, yogurt/sour cream and crackers, plus:

 
HAVE A RICOTTA TASTING

Set out different brands, from big commercial brands or the store brand, to freshly-made ricotta from the cheese department.

Taste each type plain: just a spoonful.

Good Eggs uses Bellwether Farms Sheep’s Milk Ricotta in this recipe. In Italy, Sheep’s milk ricotta is preferred over any other for its delicate flavor and texture. If you can find it, grab it.
 
MORE WAYS TO USE RICOTTA

Use it both sweet and savory dishes, including stuffed pasta (lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, shells, etc.).