Crostini with Ricotta and Chili Jam

Crostini with ricotta and chili jam are a sweet-spicy appetizer that combines the softness of ricotta with the liveliness of chili jam. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• Slices of bread (such as baguette, homemade bread, or Pugliese bread)
• High-quality ricotta, preferably fresh
• Chili jam (if you don’t have it, you can opt for a slightly spicy fruit jam, such as apricot with added chili powder)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper (optional)
• Aromatic herb for garnish (like thyme, oregano, or basil)

If you’re missing some ingredients, remember that cooking is creativity. For example, you can use leftover bread, just toast it well. Instead of bread, you could even use grilled polenta slices for a rustic touch!

Preparation

1. Toast the slices of bread. You can do this in several ways: in the oven, on a grill, in a non-stick pan, or in a toaster, until they are crispy and lightly golden.

2. Prepare the ricotta. If the ricotta is very moist, you might want to drain or squeeze it before use. Put it in a bowl and season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and a grind of black pepper, then mix well until you get a spreadable yet still full-bodied consistency.

3. Assemble the crostini. Spread a thin layer of ricotta on each slice of toasted bread. On the ricotta, add a teaspoon of chili jam and spread it gently.

4. Garnish and serve. Garnish each crostino with an aromatic herb of your choice. This will add not only a touch of color but also a fragrance that will complete the taste experience.

Serve immediately to ensure the crispiness of the crostini. This dish is perfect for an aperitif or as a light and surprising starter.

Curiosity

Chili jam is a typical example of how cuisine can play with contrasts: the chili, with its bold and spicy flavor, is softened by the sugars of the jam creating a surprising savory balance, perfect for igniting the flavors of simple dishes like this.