Description
Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes is a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring creamy whipped ricotta, fresh cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs atop toasted baguette slices. This recipe combines simple ingredients for a fresh, flavorful bite perfect for gatherings or a light snack in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Crostini Base
- 1 French baguette, cut into ½-inch slices
Tomato Topping
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (assorted colours), diced
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Whipped Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1 tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil (plus more for serving)
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1½ tablespoons fresh herbs (such as basil, mint, thyme, oregano, or chives), finely chopped
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Toast Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the sliced baguette in a single layer on a large half sheet baking pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden and toasted to a perfect crunch.
- Prepare Tomato Topping: In a small bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to mix and set this mixture aside to let the flavors meld.
- Whip Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, add the ricotta, olive oil, honey, fresh herbs, minced garlic, salt, and a pinch of pepper. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat until the ricotta is smooth, creamy, and light in texture, about one minute. Alternatively, blend the mixture in a food processor until creamy.
- Assemble Crostini: Spoon a generous amount of the whipped ricotta onto each toasted baguette slice. Then, top each with a spoonful of the prepared tomato mixture, ensuring every bite has a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ricotta for the best creamy texture.
- Feel free to customize the fresh herbs based on your preference.
- For extra flavor, drizzle additional olive oil on the finished crostini before serving.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep the bread crisp.
- You can prepare the whipped ricotta and tomato topping a few hours ahead and store separately in the refrigerator.
