Ricotta Cheese and Herb Spread
Whip Up This Simple Recipe to Top Crusty Baguette Slices.
Jun 8, 2009
Ricotta cheese is very versatile and light, which makes it mix well with herbs. The smooth creamy texture contrasts well with the crusty baguette pieces served with it.
Instead of meeting friends at restaurants and bars to spend money, invite your friends to your home for an entertaining evening of hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Have your guests bring the drinks, and you can make some appetizers with inexpensive ingredients.
Make this ricotta cheese with herbs spread to entertain for a cocktail party or for a night in with friends. It is a great entertaining idea for those on a budget, since large amounts of it can be made with different herbs, cheeses, or other ingredients. This recipe is for about eight people, so adjust the amount of the ingredients accordingly.
This takes about five minutes to mix up, and can be served on a plate within ten minutes.
Ingredients:
- One 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon of various chopped herbs. Try chives, cilantro, parsley, tarragon, basil, lemongrass or rosemary. You could half a tablespoon of a couple different varieties.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 baguette
Utensils:
- Large serving platter
- Larger mixing bowl
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Butter knife
- Sharp bread knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing spoon
Mix the Ricotta and Herb Spread
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the herbs, using a spoon. Add salt and pepper to taste on top. Transfer the spread to a nice serving bowl if desired, and drizzle some olive oil on top of the mixture. Next, slice the baguette into pieces, starting from one end to the other so they are small disks that the spread can be served on.
- On a baking sheet, place the baguette slices and toast them in the oven for eight to ten minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also toast them in a skillet on the stove top on medium heat. Spray the skillet with non-stick cooking spray first.
- Place the slices on a large platter with the bowl of the spread in the middle. To serve, use a small butter knife to apply a large dollop of the ricotta cheese and herb spread on top of the crusty baguettes. Spread it completely over the surface of the baguette slice.
- This spread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, whether you are entertaining adults, families or children. If desired, you can add other things to the mix instead of herbs, such as diced cherry tomatoes, scallions, crumbled bacon bits or fruit pieces, to name a few. You can also use different cheese if you do not like ricotta cheese, such as boursin or goat cheese.
The copyright of the article Ricotta Cheese and Herb Spread in Menu Planning is owned by Lauren Wise. Permission to republish Ricotta Cheese and Herb Spread in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
