Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast Is Your New Go-To Snack

Rising up, my family favored savory summer season fruit. We appreciated fruit as a deliciously candy, warm-weather deal with. When picked at peak ripeness, it was evident: no matter fruit was served would rival the sweetness of virtually any dessert round. (Summery truffles, very a lot so included.) And whereas I like a very good bowl of honey-kissed peaches, ice cream, and berries galore, my affiliation with fruit is firstly savory. That’s why, after I was tasked with making a ricotta toast that may develop into my final late-summer snack, I sought an fringe of spicy, jalapeño-laced goodness.

With out fail, my mother all the time saved a bowl of no matter fruit was in season on the counter. She would prime it with black salt and chaat masala—giving the melons, pears, apples, and so forth a sweet-meets-savory and barely salty taste that could be very close to addictive. And when summer season comes round, I’m all the time in search of methods to pair these savory flavors with the sweetness of warm-weather fruit. Right now’s model? My really addicting, minty melon ricotta toast.

I do know what you’re considering—at first, it’s an intriguing, if not sudden combo. However within the search of latest methods to rejoice summer season fruits, I figured including somewhat spice can be the proper approach to elevate the sweetness of summer season melons. This toast is a type of “no recipe” recipes, coming collectively in about ten minutes. It’s excellent for these evenings when the considered turning on the stovetop appears just a bit an excessive amount of.

Elements for Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast

Cantaloupe. I like cantaloupe, significantly in the summertime when its taste leans extra floral in sweetness. When you don’t, you need to use honeydew, blackberries, peaches, or no matter fruit you crave.

Jalapeño and crimson chili powder. Each add a barely completely different warmth and taste. I like utilizing each to convey somewhat spice to this recipe.

Mint. Freshly chopped so as to add some brightness to the toast.

Honey. I discover that honey enhances the sweetness of fruit with out being overpowering. If you’d like somewhat extra sweetness, add a pinch of sugar to style.

Lemon juice. A little bit acidity is all the time the important thing to brightening up any recipe whereas reducing via the sweetness.

Ricotta. Complete milk, all the time.

Sourdough. Toasted till golden brown. The crunchy texture acts as a pleasant complement to the creamy and mushy toppings.

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Suggestions for Serving

Whereas it is a no-recipe recipe, there are just a few methods to maximizing taste.

• Prep the cantaloupe forward of time. Not solely does this permit the flavors to all meld collectively, however giving it an opportunity to hang around within the fridge retains all the things chilly. And I don’t have to inform you that summer season melons style ten occasions higher when ice chilly and crisp.
• Function an meeting line. The good a part of prepping the melons and the ricotta forward of time is which you could set this up as a “serve your self” meal. This additionally retains the bread from getting soggy and permits individuals to serve up their toast as they like.
• If you want, function a salad. Unfold ricotta onto a platter and pour over the melons. Prime with as many recent herbs as you’ll be able to, drizzle with olive oil, and luxuriate in.

What to Serve With This Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast

This recipe is ideal for any end-of-summer menu you will have deliberate. Contemplate serving as a aspect dish, appetizer, or salad at your subsequent golden hour dinner alongside your favorites.

To take issues excessive, serve some arugula tossed in lemon juice and olive oil so visitors can assemble their very own salad. Put out a bowl of Greek yogurt for a sweet-meets-savory summer season yogurt bowl. Make it a complete fruit salad and use a medley of fruits of your selection. Both method, you’ll be coming again to this one for seconds—assured.

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