Ricotta Toast

We like to think that Nanna was ahead of the trends when she started making ricotta and avocado toast long before it became popular. She loved watching cooking shows and trying new recipes she would see on TV. We think she probably got the idea from a cooking show. Her favorite was Lidia’s Kitchen, she would talk about Lidia like they were old best friends. Every Tuesday morning she would send Nonno to the Italian store to get fresh ricotta for lunch that day. Eventually, she learned to make her own ricotta, sharing it with her family and friends stored in old yogurt containers (of course).

Whipped ricotta toast is a beautiful and delicious appetizer to share with family and friends. The combinations of toppings you can add are endless. They are easy to assemble and even easier to eat!

Wise Words From Nanna

Extra Whipped Ricotta- If you end up with extra whipped ricotta, cover, and store in your fridge for up to 3 days. This could be used in a salad, on a sandwich, in lasagna, on pizza or in pasta. 

Toppings- These are two of our favorite ways to top whipped ricotta, but there are many other ideas you could do instead such as crispy prosciutto, pistachios, strawberries or arugula. 

Serves: 15 pieces

Prep time: 15 Minutes

Total time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients:

Toasted Baguette

-1 loaf of french baguette

-butter

Whipped Ricotta

-1 ½  cups of full-fat ricotta cheese

-3 tbsp cream cheese

-3 tbsp of heavy whipping cream

-Zest of 1 lemon

Chili Honey Topping

-⅓ cup of liquid honey

-½ tsp chili flakes

-Pinch of cayenne

-Pinch of flaky sea salt

Fig Topping

-3-5 figs sliced into thin rounds 

-Balsamic glaze to taste

-1/4 cup crushed walnuts 

-1/4 cup chiffonade basil

Pinch of flaky sea salt

Instructions:

Chili Honey Topping

1. Put all ingredients in a small pot over low-medium heat. Whisk often as it heats up. Do not let it burn or boil. Keep warming until it has a thinner consistency and the honey has a spicy flavor. Remove from heat, pour into a small dish and place aside. 

Toasted Baguette 

1. Slice the baguette horizontally into rounds (about half an inch thick). Butter one side and toast in a pan until golden brown. Set aside. 

Whipped Ricotta

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside. 

Assembly

1. Fig topping – Spread a thick layer of whipped ricotta onto the toasted baguette. Cover the ricotta with fig slices, basil, and walnuts. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. 
2. Chili honey topping – Spread a thick layer of whipped ricotta onto the toasted baguette. Drizzle chili honey over the ricotta and top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.