By Ellie Krieger
Ricotta toast is finally getting the attention it deserves. The fresh cheese has stood quietly in the background as avocado and nut butter got all the accolades, but now this nourishing toast topper has its own trending hashtag.
Lusciously creamy and protein-rich, with the flavour of fresh milk, ricotta has long been one of my favourite bread spreads. And it makes an especially welcoming bed for seasonal fruit. This toast starts with a nutty, textured slice of wholegrain toast. Sure, any kind of bread will work, but the dense loaf often sold as "health bread" has a chew and deep flavour that's especially satisfying here.
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Slathered with a generous spread of ricotta, then layered with slices of ripe pear, the toast is finished with a drizzle of maple syrup, toasted walnuts and a dusting of cinnamon. It's a fulfilling breakfast or snack that can be pulled together quickly, it upends any notion that you lack the time to make something healthy.
Such a winning combination of taste, nutrition and ease never goes out of style.
Ricotta Toasts With Pear, Walnuts, Maple and Cinnamon (Serves 4)
Ingredients
3 tbs raw walnut pieces
4 slices crusty, textured, wholegrain bread, such as from a "health" loaf or sprouted bread
⅗ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 ripe pear, cored and sliced (unpeeled)
2 tsp maple syrup
⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch flaky salt, or more to taste
Method
In a small dry pan over medium heat, toast the walnuts, tossing frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a cutting board to cool, then finely chop.
Toast the bread. Spread about 3 tablespoons of the ricotta onto each piece, then arrange 3 or 4 slices of pear on top of each toast. Drizzle each with ½ teaspoon maple syrup, then sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons of the chopped walnuts, then with the cinnamon and salt.
From cookbook author and registered nutritionist Ellie Krieger.