Savory Ricotta Toast with Asparagus and Lemon Zest
I love toast. And this fancy toast recipe is a great one for breakfast, lunch or a simple, light supper. If you’re a toast-eater like me, this savory ricotta toast recipe is a must-try.Â
The recipe comes from my friend, chef and food historian Maite Gomez-Rejon of ArtBites. You may also know her as the co-host of Hungry for History with Eva Longoria. Her version of ricotta toast is a simple, whole-food snack that’s just right for any time of day. Best of all, you can make it in fifteen minutes or less!
What is ricotta toast?
Simply put, ricotta on toast is delicious, creamy ricotta cheese spread on toast. It’s a similar concept to avocado toast, only with cheese instead of the green stuff. It can be dressed up any number of ways to make a sweet or savory snack. Our version adds healthy, aphrodisiac asparagus and the citrus spark of lemon zest.
Why you’re going to love this ricotta and asparagus toast recipe
If you’ve ever wondered, “What can I do with a little bit of ricotta?” Making this toast recipe is a great answer! That’s because this flavorful snack uses just a little bit of ricotta. It’s a great solution if you don’t want to waste the last bit in the container.
Of course, that’s not the only reason to love this fancy toast recipe. It’s quick, nutritious and satisfying.
Recipe FAQ
This recipe is so simple anyone can make it. You just toast bread in the oven and top with deliciousness. But here are a few of the things to consider for making the best snack toast:
What bread should you use to make ricotta toast?
For this ricotta bread recipe, we’re recommending sourdough. You can use whole-grain bread if you prefer. You’ll certainly get more nutrition. But there’s something truly magical about the tang of sourdough bread when it’s topped with light, faintly salted ricotta cheese.
It’s a food combo I find irresistible.
What is the best ricotta cheese?
If you want to make the best breakfast toast, you have to start with the best ingredients. And we recommend using high-quality, full-fat ricotta cheese. Some good grocery store brands for whole milk ricotta include White Rose, Sorrento and Whole Foods 365.
Another option is to make homemade ricotta cheese. Here’s a how-to from Serious Eats.
Vegan alternatives to fresh ricotta do exist but I’ve heard they tend to be chalky and lack the lightness of the original.
Can you use whipped ricotta for this savory toast recipe?
Many recipes for ricotta cheese toast call for making whipped ricotta, which is ricotta cheese that’s whipped with a whisk or food processor until it is creamy. (Some recipes add cream or oil but neither is necessary for producing creamy, whipped ricotta cheese.)
Our ricotta toast recipe keeps the ricotta spread simple. But if you prefer your ricotta whipped, by all means, feel free to make this a whipped ricotta toast.
Can you freeze ricotta?
You can freeze ricotta. If you’ve already used some of the package, you’ll want to remove it from the original packaging and put it into a smaller container before freezing. Be sure to drain it and make sure it is tightly sealed.
Variations and Substitutions
Maite tops this ricotta cheese breakfast toast with a drizzle of avocado oil. (She also brushes the bread with the oil before toasting.) If you don’t have avocado oil, you can use grapeseed oil or extra virgin olive oil if you prefer. But you should definitely consider buying some avocado oil after you read these surprising facts about avocado oil and your health.
Add garlic: If you love garlic, you can add a touch of finely chopped garlic to the pan when you sauté the asparagus. It will give the toast a more savory, less classically breakfast flavor. But you can serve this garlicky asparagus toast as an accompaniment to an Italian dinner.
Try a different herb: You can try swapping out the fresh mint for fresh basil. (This is particularly delicious with the garlic version of this savory toast mentioned above.)
Make it a sweet ricotta toast: If you want to ditch the veggies, the ricotta and lemon zest mixture on toast with a touch of honey and the mint makes a great breakfast toast. (Be sure to omit the salt and black pepper if you’re going to make a sweet version of this toast recipe.)
When to serve this fancy toast
I envision you serving this toast to your lover as a romantic breakfast in bed. After all, although toast on its own may not be sexy, the slender spears of asparagus are historically aphrodisiac. Nutrients in asparagus are linked with healthy hormone production.
In addition, did you know that cheese is an aphrodisiac?
And if that hasn’t convinced you that you should serve this ricotta on toast recipe as a food of seduction, don’t forget the mint. Although mint doesn’t offer quite the nutritional punch as asparagus, you might be surprised to learn just how many benefits this green herb has to offer.
But you don’t have to serve this toast recipe for breakfast. Ricotta toast makes a great mid-afternoon or midnight snack. And as we mentioned above, the basil ricotta savory toast idea makes a great appetizer for an Italian dinner.
More ricotta recipes
Looking for more easy recipes with ricotta? Since cheese is an aphrodisiac, we think you should enjoy it as much as possible. Here are just a few of the ways I like to serve ricotta:
Baby Spinach and Ricotta Pizza
Savory Ricotta and Asparagus Toast with Lemon Zest
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin avocado oil plus more for brushing and drizzling (substitute grapeseed or evoo)
- 4 slices thick sourdough bread*
- 3/4 lb thin asparagus cut into 2-inch lengths
- salt and black pepper
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp mint finely chopped
- 1/2 c fresh whole milk ricotta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Place the bread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly brush with avocado oil.
- Bake until toasted on one side – about 7 minutes – then turn over and bake a couple of minutes on the other side.
- Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the lemon juice and let cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, stir the lemon zest into the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.
- Spread equal amounts of the lemon ricotta on the toasted bread and top with the asparagus. Drizzle with a little avocado oil , top with fresh mint, sprinkle with salt and serve.
Notes
A note on the provided nutrition information
The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Nutrition
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