Strawberry Ricotta Bruschetta with Honey (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 1 fresh baguette, cut into ½-inch-thick slices
02 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
03 - A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Ricotta Mixture

04 - 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
05 - 2 tablespoons golden honey
06 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

→ Strawberry Topping

09 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
10 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - ¼ teaspoon salt
13 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Pop them in the oven for about 2 minutes until they turn golden and crispy.
02 - In a small bowl, gently toss together the sliced strawberries with honey and a pinch of salt. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and the natural sweetness of the strawberries to intensify.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix everything together until you get a smooth, creamy spread. If using, fold in the chopped basil leaves for an extra layer of flavor.
04 - Once your bread has cooled slightly, spread each slice with a generous layer of the ricotta mixture. Top with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture, then finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and honey. Add a crack of fresh black pepper and garnish with mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately while the bread is still warm and crispy!

# Notes:

01 - Best served immediately while the bread is still warm and crispy
02 - Can be customized with different fresh herbs like mint or thyme
03 - The ricotta mixture can be prepared up to a day in advance