Fresh Fig Bruschetta
Serves 6
Creamy cheese, delicate figs, and crunchy hazelnuts on crisp toast delivers the perfect combination of flavor and texture. See Cook's Tips for variations.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided use)
- 1 tablespoon snipped chives
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Kosher salt
- 6 baguette slices
- 1 garlic clove, sliced in half lengthwise
- 5 tablespoons hazelnuts, roasted and chopped (divided use)
- 3 fresh figs, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- Hot honey
Directions
- If ricotta is watery, spread on a paper towel and drain for a minute or two. Then, scrape into a bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, chives, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Chill, if made ahead.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Rub one side of each slice of bread with cut side of raw garlic. Place bread, garlic side up, on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush with remaining olive oil. Toast 5 to10 minutes, until fragrant and crisp.
- Just before serving, stir 1/4 cup hazelnuts into cheese mixture.
- Spread cheese mixture on toasts. Top with fig slices. Drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with remaining hazelnuts.
Cook Tips
Variations
Pomegranate Drizzle: Mix 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses with 2 tablespoons honey. Drizzle over bruschetta instead of hot honey.
Warm Brie and Prosciutto: Instead of herbed ricotta, top toasted bread slices with a slice of prosciutto and a sliver of brie. Return to oven for a minute or two, until cheese warms. Top with fig slices and drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.
Soft Goat or Blue Cheese: Mix a little cream or mascarpone with goat or blue cheese until it becomes a spreadable consistency. Use in place of herbed ricotta.
Pomegranate Drizzle: Mix 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses with 2 tablespoons honey. Drizzle over bruschetta instead of hot honey.
Warm Brie and Prosciutto: Instead of herbed ricotta, top toasted bread slices with a slice of prosciutto and a sliver of brie. Return to oven for a minute or two, until cheese warms. Top with fig slices and drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.
Soft Goat or Blue Cheese: Mix a little cream or mascarpone with goat or blue cheese until it becomes a spreadable consistency. Use in place of herbed ricotta.