Vegetarian Recipes
Hummus Crostini Appetizers
https://www.loveandlemons.com/hummus-crostini-appetizers/
Now that the 4th of July has come and gone, summer is in full swing. Not only are we (finally) seeing sunny skies and warm weather, but we’ve also had a lot of visitors in the last few weeks. Jack’s sister was in town for the 4th, and his parents were in a week earlier. We’ve had friends visiting as well!
With company in the house, I always like to have a few good appetizer ideas up my sleeve. Different people like to eat at different times, and I never want guests to starve while they wait for dinner to be served. In the past, I’ve made my own hummus or served avocado toast, but with the amount of people we’ve had coming and going in the last few weeks, I decided to go a different route this year.
This summer, ALDI is launching creative new hummus flavors all season long. When I saw the range of options – Jalapeño Lime, Rosemary Sea Salt, Ranch, and more – I knew that these spreads would be my entertaining hack for summer appetizers.
Rather than spending time in the kitchen blending up my own hummus or worrying about avocado toast getting brown, I used these new, flavor-packed hummuses from ALDI as the base of these crostini appetizers. With the yummy hummuses already made, I could spend less time in the kitchen and more with our guests. And instead of thinking about making hummus, I could focus on showcasing the wonderful produce we have this time of year.
I paired each hummus with simple, fresh ingredients, and let me tell you, these crostini pack a huge punch of flavor. I found all the ingredients at ALDI, so they’re affordable entertaining options. But best of all, these crostini appetizer ideas are really easy to assemble. Our summer guests will vouch for how delicious they are, too!
My Easy Crostini Appetizer Recipes
I tried six of the new ALDI hummus flavors for these appetizer recipes, and I developed a fresh topping combination for each. Here are my new go-to summer appetizer ideas:
- Greek Salad Crostini – A cube of feta, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes & cucumber make a tangy, briny & crisp topping for Mediterranean hummus.
- Cool Cucumber Ranch Crostini – I top a slather of the Ranch hummus with cucumber ribbons, lime juice, and chives.
- Corn Ceviche Crostini – My favorite! We LOVE the crisp, bright mixture of corn, chiles, red onion & lime over zesty Jalapeño Lime hummus.
- Strawberry Caprese Crostini – Have you every tried eating hummus with something sweet? For this crostini, I use the ALDI Park Street Deli Classic hummus, and I swap a strawberry for the tomato in the caprese trifecta. Let me tell you, the sweet/savory combination is absolutely delicious!
- Roasted Grape & Feta Crostini – Another sweet pairing, and another favorite! Juicy roasted grapes & earthy Rosemary Sea Salt hummus are a match made in heaven. A tangy crumble of feta and sprigs of thyme are the perfect finishing touch.
- Beet, Avocado & Chia Crostini – This one couldn’t be simpler – it’s just a dollop of sweet beet hummus, a few slices of creamy avocado, and a sprinkle of chia for crunch. I love the bold colors in this combo!
If you have leftover hummus after making these summer appetizers, use it in a chickpea shawarma wrap or an easy veggie wrap. Of course, all these hummus flavors are good with fresh veggies & crackers, too.
If you love these appetizer ideas…
Head to ALDI to find all these fresh ingredients and bold hummuses at great prices. And if you try these easy appetizers, comment below with your favorite!
Author: Jeanine Donofrio
Recipe type: appetizer
- Specially Selected French Baguette, sliced and toasted
- ½ cup sweet corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- ½ teaspoon minced jalapeño
- 2 teaspoons minced cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Park Street Deli Jalapeño Lime Hummus
- Park Street Deli Rosemary Sea Salt Hummus
- Organic red grapes
- Simply Nature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
- Sea salt
- Happy Farms Feta Block, crumbled
- Thyme leaves
- Park Street Deli Mediterranean Hummus
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced
- Mini cucumbers, sliced
- Park Street Deli Kalamata Olives, halved
- Happy Farms Feta Block, sliced
- Simply Nature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
- Pinches of Simply Nature Oregano
- Park Street Deli Ranch Hummus
- Mini cucumbers, peeled into ribbons
- Simply Nature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
- Lemon, for squeezing
- Sea salt
- Chopped chives, optional
- Park Street Deli Classic Hummus
- Strawberries, sliced
- Priano Fresh Mozzarella, sliced
- Basil leaves
- Simply Nature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
- Park Street Deli Beet Hummus
- Avocado, sliced
- Lemon, for squeezing
- Simply Nature Chia Seeds, for sprinkling
- Sea salt
- In a small bowl, combine the corn, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and sea salt. Chill until ready to use. Assemble crostini with the hummus and spoonfuls of the ceviche.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the grapes on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 7 to 10 minutes or until soft and bursty. Assemble crostini with the hummus, roasted grapes, sprinkles of feta, and thyme leaves.
- Assemble crostini with the hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
- Assemble crostini with the hummus and top with cucumber ribbons. Drizzle with olive oil, squeeze a little lemon juice, and sprinkle with sea salt and chives, if using.
- Assemble crostini with the hummus, top with strawberries, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Assemble crostini with the hummus, top with avocado, a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of chia seeds, and a pinch of salt.
Note: the Corn “Ceviche” and roasted grapes can be prepared in advance and stored for 2-3 days in the fridge.
3.4.3177
Vegetarian Recipes
Ricotta Toast 4 Ways
I love a slice of avocado toast as much as the next person, but have you ever tried Ricotta Toast? Now, that’s what I call a breakfast upgrade! I whip creamy ricotta cheese with lemon zest, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt to create a luxurious (but budget-friendly!) tangy spread that stores well in the fridge and tastes AMAZING on a slice of crispy sourdough toast. But my favorite part? There are endless ways to dress up ricotta toast, and I’ve shared four delicious variations below!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this whipped ricotta toast recipe:
- Whole Milk Ricotta: This is a creamy, slightly sweet, soft cheese made from the whey leftovers from making other types of cheese, like mozzarella. I recommend using whole milk ricotta to get the creamiest texture and best flavor for your toast.
- Sourdough: You can use any type of bread you’d usually use to make toast. But, in my opinion, the best bread for ricotta toast is one that’s sturdy with a chewy crumb and crisp crust—like sourdough! I buy a whole loaf and slice it myself to get nice, thick slices. Other good options include whole grain, ciabatta, French bread, or bagels!
- Lemon Zest: I zest a whole lemon and mix it with the creamy cheese. This adds the most delicious citrusy zing to the spread. Budget-friendly tip: Store the zested lemon in your fridge to make lemon water, lemonade, or to use in other recipes (like our homemade lemon curd!)
- Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy.
- Salt: It doesn’t matter if I’m making sweet or savory ricotta on toast; I always add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.
Tips & Suggestions!
- I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta. The higher fat content helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy with a cloud-like texture. Plus, the flavor is unbeatable! Lower fat options can be too watery and won’t whip to the same consistency. BUT if that’s all you have on hand, please don’t waste it! The texture won’t be the same as what’s shown in my process photos below, but it’ll still work as a topping for toast.
- Don’t have a hand mixer? Try your food processor! You could also whip it by hand, but it’ll take a lot longer and require some serious arm strength.
- It’s pretty common for ricotta to have a small amount of liquid (whey) on top when you open the container. Whenever that happens, I just stir it in before measuring my cheese.
- This creamy spread isn’t just for toast! I love it as a dip for fresh vegetables, mixed with pasta for a quick sauce, smothered on a sliced baguette as an appetizer, or as a spread on sandwiches. It’s really versatile and stores well in the fridge for a few days.
Make it Ahead
I love a breakfast I can prep ahead, so you already know this ricotta toast recipe is in my meal prep rotation! Make the whipped ricotta as directed in the recipe card, and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually give it a quick mix to reincorporate any liquid that may have separated before using. Then, all I do is toast my sourdough and add any toppings I fancy that day. It’s almost as easy as my overnight oats for breakfast meal prep. 😉
Ricotta Toast Variations
I think this whipped ricotta toast base recipe is delicious as-is, but it’s even better with toppings! I’ve tested many different topping combinations, but here are four stand-out favorites:
Roasted Grapes, Thyme, and Bacon
This topping is perfect for when you can’t decide between savory or sweet. Toss your grapes in a light coating of olive oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until they become wrinkled and soft. You can cook the bacon however you’d like, but I recommend cooking it in the oven, as it’s already on and hot! Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces, layer your roasted grapes on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Reduction
Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic are ALWAYS a winning combination. Any kind of tomatoes work for this topping! Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top and fresh basil leaves, and you’re basically eating bruschetta for breakfast! YUM.
Strawberry, Mint, and Honey
This whipped ricotta toast topping makes me dream of summer mornings. Bonus points if you grow your own mint and strawberries (season-dependent, of course!). Simply slice fresh strawberries, layer them on top of the toast, and sprinkle with torn mint leaves and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are so light and refreshing, and it really couldn’t be easier to make. You could also use other types of berries, like raspberries or blueberries.
Mushrooms, Garlic, Wilted Spinach, and Red Pepper Flakes
For this one-pan topping, sauté sliced mushrooms (any type) in olive oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute or so, then mix in fresh spinach until wilted. Season to taste before adding to your whipped ricotta with a pinch of red pepper flakes. The juicy mushrooms are irresistible, and the wilted spinach is a great way to sneak in some green veggies for breakfast, too.
More Topping Ideas!
I honestly can’t think of a single savory or sweet ingredient that wouldn’t work well with this creamy, tangy lemon ricotta toast base recipe. Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Any fruit (fresh or frozen and thawed!)
- Smashed avocado
- Caramelized onions
- Fruit jam (fig, apricot, raspberry would all be amazing)
- Balsamic roasted mushrooms
- Sliced prosciutto or other cured meats
- Chopped nuts
- Pesto
- Tomato relish
- Anything pickled (pickles, pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, etc.)
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Poached eggs
Ricotta Toast Recipe
Equipment
-
Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 15 oz tub of whole milk ricotta (just shy of 2 cups) $2.67
- 2 tsp lemon zest* $0.50
- 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.19
- ¼ tsp salt $0.01
- 1 lb loaf of sourdough** $3.99
Instructions
-
Combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, olive oil and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
-
Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
-
Slice sourdough into thick slices and toast.
-
Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
-
Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
**The bake-at-home sourdough loaves from Kroger are a nice option, but they don’t yield as many slices as a pre-sliced loaf, so use whatever you like best!
Nutrition
how to make Ricotta Toast – step by step photos
Combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and ¼ tsp salt in a medium mixing bowl.
Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
Slice a 1 lb loaf of sourdough into thick slices and toast.
Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
More Easy Toast Recipes
The post Ricotta Toast 4 Ways appeared first on Budget Bytes.
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