Mini Tomato & Asparagus Ricotta Toasts
Raise a toast to these terrific toasts! They’re the hardest-working small bites in town — toasty but not distractingly crispy, and filling but not heavy. The ricotta adds flavor and texture without being overly rich, and the veggies really pop against the cheese’s slightly sweet flavor. The tomatoes are a little bit tart, a little bit sweet, and oh-so perfect.
Prep is simple and the result impressive — perfect for family celebrations, special events and happy hour on the patio.
8 to 12 servings
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
1 head garlic
3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
½ bunch asparagus, sliced into ½-inch pieces on the bias
¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more to taste
1 12-ounce L&B Classic French Baguette, cut into ½-inch slices
1 cup whole-milk ricotta
¼ cup chopped fresh basil, for garnish
Directions
- Heat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice off the top of the garlic head, leaving the cloves intact and exposed. Place the garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, wrap the foil tightly around it and place on a sheet pan. Roast for 25 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, shallots, asparagus, the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat, and transfer the vegetables to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- After the garlic has roasted for 25 minutes, add the vegetables to the oven. Continue to roast the garlic and the veggies for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are lightly browned and cooked through. Let the vegetables and garlic cool for 5 minutes.
- Lay the baguette slices in an even layer on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until the bread is toasted and golden brown.
- Carefully squeeze the garlic cloves into a food processor and discard the garlic skins. Add the ricotta, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Process for 30 seconds, until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of whipped ricotta onto each piece of toast. Evenly distribute the vegetables on top, and garnish with basil. Serve immediately.
Recipe adapted from: Skinny Taste
