Five Quick Ricotta Crostini Recipes

CROSTINI WITH RICOTTA AND PINK PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a slight bias, slice the baguette into 1/4-inch slices. Brush the slices with the 1/4 cup olive oil, then place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until golden brown and crunchy, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Once the crostini are cool, top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of ricotta mixture, a pinch of coarse salt and a sprinkling of crushed pink peppercorns. Serve at room temperature.

RICOTTA CROSTINI WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the sweet peas and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Remove to a colander using a slotted spoon and run under cold water until cool. Blot dry with paper towels. Return the saucepan of water to a boil and repeat with the sugar snap peas; remove, run under cold water until cool and blot dry.
• Preheat the broiler. Pulse all but 2 tablespoons of the sweet peas in a food processor with the ricotta, parmesan, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper until smooth.
• Arrange the ciabatta on a baking sheet and broil until toasted and charred around the edges, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Spread the ricotta mixture on the toasts.
• Combine the reserved sweet peas with the sugar snap peas, pea shoots, lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl. Toss well and season with salt and pepper. Divide the pea mixture among the crostini and top with edible flowers.

QUICK CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush each bread slice lightly on both sides with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet; toast until lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

FRESH RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Lay three layers of cheesecloth over a colander.
• Add the milk to a large heavy pot and place over medium-high heat. Stir in the lemon juice and salt and heat until an instant-read thermometer reaches 175 degrees F. The milk will begin to just bubble and start to steam. At this temperature you'll begin to see the curds separate from the whey. Be mindful of over stirring the ricotta while the curds are forming, you don't want to make your ricotta stiff. Let it sit for 5 minutes undisturbed and you will be left with a very creamy and pleasant finished result.
• Gently remove the curds from the pot to the colander. Use the side of the cheesecloth to very gently release some of the liquid. Tie up the curds using butcher's twine and let drain for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the cheesecloth and place in a bowl. Serve warm on toasted bread with lemon zest and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange bread on a baking sheet; brush both sides with oil. Season with salt. Toast until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Spread with ricotta; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with pepper, or add toppings as desired.

FIVE QUICK RICOTTA CROSTINI RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut bread into slices and toast
• Spread about 2 tbsp of ricotta on each slice
• Top with your topping of choice see suggestions in the notes

FIG AND RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the baguette slices on an ungreased, foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake the bread in the preheated oven until the bottoms are brown, about 5 minutes; flip and bake until crisp, 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven.
• Spread 1 tablespoon of ricotta on each slice of toasted bread. Place a few ribbons of basil on each, arrange a slice of fig on top, and drizzle the finished crostini with balsamic vinegar.