Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe
If you’re looking for a simple yet irresistibly delicious dish to brighten your breakfast or elevate your snack time, the Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe is a total game-changer. This vibrant toast brings together creamy ricotta, juicy tomatoes, and the nutty crunch of toasted sesame seeds all kissed by rich olive oil. It’s fresh, satisfying, and effortlessly elegant—a perfect way to treat yourself any time of day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this delightful Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe, you only need a handful of straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering contrasting textures and fresh, bold flavors that make every bite memorable.
- Whole-grain or sourdough bread: Provides a sturdy, toasty base with a satisfying bite that holds up to the toppings.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds a smooth, creamy layer that balances the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly.
- Medium tomato: Offers juicy, bright freshness which brightens the whole dish.
- Sesame seeds: When toasted, they bring a lovely nutty crunch and expressive flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Drizzled over to enrich the dish with fruity, peppery notes.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that amplify every taste element.
- Fresh basil leaves (optional): Add a fragrant herbal touch that freshens up the flavors.
- Balsamic vinegar (optional): Perfect for a hint of sweet acidity if you want to take it a step further.
How to Make Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Bread
Start by toasting your bread slices until they reach your ideal crispiness. Whether you prefer the quick pop from a toaster or the slightly smoky notes from a grill pan or oven, a firm and crunchy base is key to supporting the luscious toppings without getting soggy.
Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Spread
While your bread is toasting, take your ricotta cheese and place it into a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to bring out its subtle sweetness. If you love extra creaminess, add a drizzle of olive oil and gently blend. This mix forms the flavorful foundation for your toast.
Step 3: Assemble the Toast
Slather a generous layer of your seasoned ricotta over the warm, toasted bread. The warmth from the toast slightly softens the ricotta, making it feel indulgent and inviting for the next layer.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes
Next, pile on thinly sliced tomatoes. Their juiciness and vibrant color are not only visually appealing but bring the perfect balance of refreshing acidity to the creamy base.
Step 5: Top with Sesame Seeds
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds evenly over the tomato slices. These seeds add a delightful crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor that simply elevates the entire dish beyond the ordinary.
Step 6: Finish with Olive Oil
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil generously atop the toast, letting it soak into the layers and impart a rich, fruity finish. This adds a silkiness that ties every ingredient together into a harmonious bite.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
For a bright, fresh final touch, garnish with fresh basil leaves and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a small drizzle of balsamic vinegar. This adds depth, color, and a subtle tang that makes each toast unique.
How to Serve Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves are a classic choice, lending herbal brightness and a pleasing aroma. You can also experiment with microgreens, a sprinkle of chili flakes for some heat, or a few cracked black peppercorns to add spice complexity.
Side Dishes
This toast pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or a bowl of chilled cucumber soup for hot days. For brunch, serve alongside fluffy scrambled eggs or a refreshing fruit salad to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to jazz it up? Cut the toast into smaller, bite-sized bruschetta pieces for parties, stack the ingredients in a parfait glass as a layered dip, or place them on a charcuterie board surrounded by olives, nuts, and roasted veggies for a stunning spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because the toast is best enjoyed fresh, it’s not ideal for long storage once assembled. However, you can keep the toasted bread, ricotta mixture, and sliced tomatoes separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, then quickly assemble before serving.
Freezing
This Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh ingredients and texture differences after thawing. It’s best to enjoy it freshly made or keep ingredients separate if you want to prep in advance.
Reheating
If you have leftover toasted bread, you can gently reheat it in a toaster or oven to crisp it back up before assembling the rest of your toast toppings. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese instead of ricotta?
Absolutely! While ricotta offers that creamy, mild profile, you could swap in cream cheese, cottage cheese, or even mascarpone for richer textures. Just be mindful of the saltiness and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Are there alternatives to sesame seeds?
If you are not a fan of sesame seeds, try using toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or crushed nuts like pistachios for a similar crunch and nutty flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Traditional ricotta is dairy-based, so to make this vegan-friendly, substitute with a plant-based ricotta or cashew cream. Make sure your bread choice aligns with a vegan diet as well.
Can I add protein to make this a fuller meal?
Yes! Add poached eggs, smoked salmon, or a handful of sautéed beans on top to boost protein and turn this toast into a hearty meal.
What’s the best type of bread for this recipe?
Crusty breads with open crumb structures like sourdough or rustic whole grain benefit this recipe the most, providing a chewy texture and absorbing the olive oil nicely without becoming soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe is a brilliant way to enjoy fresh, wholesome ingredients with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Whether it’s a quick breakfast or a light lunch, it’s guaranteed to become one of your favorite go-to dishes. I hope you’ll have as much fun making and savoring it as I do sharing it with you!
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Ricotta & Tomato Toast with Sesame Seeds & Olive Oil Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Ricotta & Tomato Toast is a quick, healthy, and delicious snack or light meal featuring creamy ricotta cheese, fresh tomato slices, and crunchy toasted sesame seeds, all elevated with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Perfect for breakfast or a savory snack, it combines fresh ingredients and simple preparation in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Toast Ingredients
- 2 slices of whole-grain or sourdough bread (or bread of choice)
Ricotta Spread
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for creaminess
Toppings
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Balsamic vinegar (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Toast the bread: Toast the slices of bread to your preferred level of crispiness, either using a toaster, a grill pan, or the oven.
- Prepare the ricotta spread: While the bread is toasting, place the ricotta cheese in a small bowl and season it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of olive oil if you want a creamier texture and mix well.
- Assemble the toast: Once toasted, spread a generous amount of the seasoned ricotta cheese evenly on each slice of bread.
- Add tomatoes: Layer thin slices of fresh tomato on top of the ricotta spread to cover the surface.
- Top with sesame seeds: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds evenly over the tomato slices to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Finish with olive oil: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the toast and toppings for richness and to enhance the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a small drizzle of balsamic vinegar to add a fragrant and tangy finish.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy your Ricotta & Tomato Toast fresh while the bread is crisp and the toppings are fresh.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- For more crunch, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet before sprinkling on the toast.
- You can substitute ricotta with cream cheese or cottage cheese if preferred.
- This toast is great as a quick breakfast, snack, or light lunch.
- Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
- Store leftover ricotta spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Toasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
