Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta

A balsamic strawberry crostini, garnished with a few small flowers, surrounded by others on a marble plate.

5 from 24 votes

Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta

These crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta are sweet, tart, creamy and perhaps the prettiest appetizers you can serve at your next fancy picnic, Mother’s Day brunch or bridal shower.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: International

Diet: Low Salt

Servings: crostini

Calories: 48kcal

Author: Genevieve Morrison

Equipment

cutting board
bread knife
small bowl
baking sheet with rack
lemon zester or grater
measuring cup
small saucepan

Ingredients

½ cup strawberries - chopped
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 tsp. brown sugar
5 tbsp. ricotta
½ baguette

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Slice the baguette into 12 ½ inch slices. Toast them at 350 F. for 5 minutes or until nicely toasted.
While your tiny toasts are toasting, chop strawberries into teeny, tiny pieces until you have ½ cup. If your strawberries are very ripe, you might want to place them on a paper towel while you prepare the balsamic reduction sauce to allow the juice to release. Otherwise, the strawberry juices will water down the sauce when combined.
In a small sauce pan, add 4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 2 tsp. of brown sugar. Reduce the vinegar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, until the consistency is somewhat thick and saucy.
While the sauce reduces, prepare 1 tsp. of lemon zest.
Combine strawberries and lemon zest, pour the balsamic reduction sauce into your measuring cup or bowl, and gently stir.
Add a little ricotta to each toast, then carefully add the delicious balsamic strawberries to the crostini.

Notes

1. Only use fresh strawberries

Frozen strawberries will release too much liquid once thawed and will be a bit too mushy to give these crostini a nice, fresh texture.

2. Assemble these crostini just before serving

Assemble the crostini about 20 minutes (at most) before serving. If you want to prep your strawberries and sauce a few hours beforehand, however, simply keep the chopped strawberries and sauce separate until you're ready to assemble the crostini.

Nutrition