Description
Irresistible ricotta bruschetta with roasted tomatoes delivers Mediterranean charm on crispy bread, blending creamy cheese and caramelized summer produce. Rustic Italian flavors dance across your palate, inviting delightful exploration of simple yet sophisticated culinary pleasures.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (300g / 10.5 ounces) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 cup (250g / 8.8 ounces) ricotta cheese
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional, for added sweetness)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
- Balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare oven-roasted tomatoes by preheating to 400F (200C). Toss halved tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tomatoes become soft and caramelized, developing rich, intense flavors.
- Transform baguette slices into crispy crostini by arranging them on a baking sheet. Delicately brush each slice with olive oil, then toast at 375F (190C) for 8-10 minutes, ensuring even golden coloration by flipping midway through baking.
- Create a creamy base by spreading ricotta cheese generously across each golden crostini. Enhance the ricotta’s natural sweetness by incorporating a gentle drizzle of honey before application, creating a luxurious foundation for the roasted tomatoes.
- Artfully arrange roasted tomatoes atop the ricotta-covered crostini, ensuring an even distribution of the caramelized vegetable mixture.
- Elevate the bruschetta’s presentation by drizzling balsamic glaze across the topped crostini. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves, adding a vibrant, aromatic finish to the dish.
- Serve immediately to preserve the crisp texture of the crostini and the warm, intense flavors of the roasted tomatoes.
Notes
- Opt for cherry or grape tomatoes for more concentrated sweetness and easier roasting, ensuring even caramelization and intense flavor.
- Experiment with different herbs like thyme or oregano when roasting tomatoes to add depth and complexity to the dish.
- Choose high-quality, creamy ricotta cheese for a luxurious texture and smooth spreading consistency on the crostini.
- Consider using gluten-free baguette or zucchini rounds for a low-carb alternative that maintains the delicious flavor profile of the original recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg