Description
Seasoned whipped ricotta with honey elevates simple cheese into a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Creamy ricotta blends with aromatic herbs and golden honey, creating a delightful spread for crusty bread that will charm guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh herbs (such as thyme, basil, or parsley), finely chopped
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
- 1 tsp (5 ml) fresh lemon zest
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- Optional toppings: crushed pistachios, flaky sea salt, or chili flakes
- Crackers, toasted bread, or fruit for serving
Instructions
- Blend Transformation: Whip ricotta with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper using a hand mixer or food processor for 12 minutes until achieving a silky, aerated consistency.
- Herbal Integration: Delicately fold chopped fresh herbs throughout the whipped mixture, ensuring uniform distribution and gentle incorporation of aromatic elements.
- Plating Artistry: Gracefully transfer the ethereal ricotta onto a rustic serving plate, sculpting elegant swirls and peaks using the back of a spoon to create visual intrigue.
- Flavor Embellishment: Generously drizzle golden honey across the surface, allowing it to cascade naturally and enhance the creamy landscape with a touch of sweetness.
- Garnish Elevation: Sprinkle crushed pistachios, delicate chili flakes, and a pinch of flaky sea salt to create a dynamic textural and flavor profile that tantalizes the palate.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany the whipped ricotta with crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, or seasonal fruits like ripe figs, crisp apples, and juicy pears to provide complementary textures and tastes.
- Immediate Indulgence: Present and consume promptly to preserve the luxurious texture and temperature, inviting guests to savor this sophisticated appetizer at its peak moment.
Notes
- Whip with Precision: Use cold ricotta straight from the refrigerator for optimal smoothness and consistency.
- Herb Harmony: Chop herbs finely to distribute evenly without overwhelming the delicate ricotta texture.
- Temperature Technique: Allow ricotta to reach room temperature before whipping to achieve maximum airiness and volume.
- Customization Flexibility: Experiment with different herb combinations like basil and thyme or adjust spice levels with chili flakes for personalized flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg