Strawberry Ricotta Honey (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - A pinch of freshly ground black pepper and salt, to your taste
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
03 - A baguette, sliced into half-inch pieces

→ Ricotta Blend

04 - 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh basil leaves
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
07 - 2 tablespoons of golden honey
08 - 1 cup of whole-milk ricotta cheese

→ Strawberry Mix

09 - A handful of fresh mint leaves (optional) for decoration
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 2 tablespoons of balsamic drizzle
13 - 2 cups of strawberries, sliced thin

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the baguette slices on a baking tray, pour the olive oil on them, and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Bake for roughly 2 minutes until they look crispy and golden-brown.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the strawberry slices, honey, and a little salt. Stir gently and set aside for 5 minutes to bring out the sweet flavors of the strawberries.
03 - Mix ricotta cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and salt in another bowl. Stir until the blend is smooth and creamy. If you'd like, fold in the finely chopped basil for a fresh twist.
04 - With the bread slightly cooled, spread a thick layer of the ricotta blend on each piece. Spoon the strawberries on top, then drizzle with honey and balsamic. Add a little cracked black pepper and decorate with mint leaves if you're using them. Serve right away while warm and crunchy!

# Notes:

01 - Tastes best when eaten immediately while the bread is crisp.
02 - You can swap herbs like mint or thyme for a different flavor.
03 - Prepare the ricotta blend a day ahead and keep it refrigerated.