Sweet Ricotta Toast (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base

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

→ Ricotta Mixture

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

→ Strawberry Topping

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

# Instructions:

01 - Turn your oven on to 200°C (400°F). Lay the baguette slices onto a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and give them a sprinkle of salt. Let them bake for around 2 minutes, or until they’re toasty and golden on the edges.
02 - Grab a small bowl and gently mix the strawberry slices, some honey, and a tiny pinch of salt. Leave it aside for about 5 minutes so the flavors can blend and the strawberries become even sweeter.
03 - Mix up the ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, honey, and a bit of salt in another bowl until it’s smooth and creamy. If you’re using basil, carefully stir it in for some extra zing.
04 - Once the bread's had a bit of time to cool, spread each slice with the ricotta mixture. Scoop on some of the strawberry topping, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and add a little extra honey if you like. Sprinkle with black pepper and throw on mint leaves for an optional garnish. Enjoy right away for the crispiest bread!

# Notes:

01 - Tastes best when served immediately after assembly
02 - Feel free to swap the herbs for others like thyme or mint
03 - The ricotta spread stays fresh if prepped a day ahead