Bruschetta With Ricotta Lemon Spread Food

BRUSCHETTA WITH RICOTTA-LEMON SPREAD

Steps:

• Brush baguette slices with olive oil, grill until toasted. Rub slices with raw garlic clove.
• Stir together ricotta, zest, olive oil, basil, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Spread can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

RICOTTA WITH LEMON, BASIL, AND HONEY BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Mix fresh ricotta with lemon zest, and spread onto toasts (do not rub with garlic or drizzle with oil in this variation). Add a few basil leaves, and drizzle with delicate honey.

HERBED RICOTTA BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or turn a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside. Cut the bread in half and cut each half into 6 thick slices to make 12 slices total.
• When the grill is hot, brush the bread with olive oil and grill on each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the grill and rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Serve 2 warm slices per person with the green salad on the side.
• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
• Place the salad greens in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to moisten. Toss and serve.

BLUEBERRY LEMON RICOTTA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For the blueberries: Macerate the blueberries by mixing them together with the sugar and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside while you make the ricotta mix and the bruschetta.
• For the lemon ricotta: Add the ricotta, heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Mix until the ricotta is smooth and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• For the crostini: Heat a griddle (or large cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Spread each side of the sliced bread with some butter. Toast the bread on both sides until crisp and golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Allow the bread to cool slightly.
• For serving: To assemble, smear a heaping tablespoon of the lemon-ricotta mixture onto a piece of toasted bread. Top with a tablespoon of the macerated blueberries and garnish with a basil leaf. Transfer the bruschetta to a platter and drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Zest the lemon over the platter before serving.