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    Home » Appetizers » Whipped Ricotta Crostini

    Whipped Ricotta Crostini

    January 25, 2018 , Updated July 19, 2024 Maria 17 Comments

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    Colorful Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe ready to be served.

    This whipped Ricotta Crostini recipe with pomegranate is elegant, sweet/savory, and, like all Italian crostini recipes, tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. A must-try if you like easy and tasty Italian appetizers.

    The completed Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe on a tray.

    I am a big fan of great appetizers.

    When you have friends over for food, wow them when they are at their hungriest – that’s what I always say! 😉

    And I was so glad to add this whipped ricotta crostini recipe to my arsenal of appetizers.

    Colorful Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe ready to be served.

     

    • What exactly is a crostini recipe? Crostini is Italian for “little bread”. Simply put, it’s a small piece of toasted bread (usually a baguette) with some sort of topping on it. But reading that definition may raise another question…
    • What makes this crostini recipe so great? The ingredients, of course!

    I think it’s safe to say that the philosophy behind Italian cooking is that a final dish is only as good as its individual ingredients. This is especially true in the case of this Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe since many of the ingredients you’ll need to make it will be eaten raw. Invest in high-quality ingredients for a high-quality recipe!

    How to make ricotta crostini

    Start by preparing all of your ingredients: you’ll need a baguette (I prefer whole-wheat baguette), avocado oil, thyme, ricotta, pomegranate arils, POM wonderful 100% pomegranate juice (not sponsored), pistachios, pea shoots and flaked sea salt. Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for this crostini recipe to come out perfectly!

     Sliced baguette ready for the crostini recipe.

    Once your baguette is sliced, brush avocado oil on it, then toast, about 5 minutes per side. I prefer using avocado oil in this particular crostini recipe rather than olive oil, my usual go-to because of the subtle flavors of the avocado oil complement the recipe is much better. When your bread is done toasting, brush it with thyme. Cut up some of the extra thyme leaves into very small pieces and set aside – we will be using them as garnish later.

    Begin making a pomegranate reduction. How do you make a pomegranate reduction? Simply boil some of the POM wonderful 100% pomegranate juice in a small pot on the stovetop until it reduces by approximately half and coats the back of the spoon you use to taste-test it (☺), about 20 minutes.

    Roasted pistachios required for this whipped ricotta crostini recipe.

    Roast your pistachios. I love the difference that roasting a nut makes – it really brings out the flavor, and in this case, the color! Pistachios are a lovely, happy green that is much needed in these wintry Montreal conditions. Toast them for just a few minutes. Set aside.

    Get your ricotta and whip it with a blender for a few minutes, until it is light and fluffy. Set it aside for now. 

    Some of the ingredients required for this crostini recipe.

    Assembly time! Take your thyme-brushed toasted baguette, top with some whipped ricotta. Top the whipped ricotta with some of the chopped thyme leaves you prepared, the pomegranate reduction, pomegranate arils, roasted pistachios and finally, the pea shoots. Finish off the crostini recipe with a touch of flaked sea salt.

    The completed Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe.

    Voilà! Your Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe is done!

    Now, reading through this crostini recipe, it might seem like you are prepping a lot of different ingredients in tandem, and that would be true. But one of the best things about this crostini recipe is how almost all of those ingredients can be prepped the day before, making assembly on the day of a big get-together as quick as can be. What can be assembled ahead of time? The baguette, whipped ricotta, the pomegranate reduction, and the roasted nuts. 

    I love the combination of different textures in this crostini recipe – the crunchy baguette and roasted nuts are offset by the soft, pillowy ricotta. I also love the combination of flavors in the recipe: the slightly sour pomegranate arils and the tangy pomegranate reduction combine with the savoriness of the thyme and the saltiness of the – ahem – salt, giving the finished product a well-rounded taste.

    The crostini recipe on a serving platter.

    I also just love the look of this crostini recipe – there is something truly beautiful about putting something together with such vibrant greens – the pistachios and the pea shoots – combined with such vibrant reds – the pomegranates and the pomegranate reduction. Since pomegranates become available in the winter here in Canada, the bright cheeriness of the crostini is especially appreciated; it makes the gray, snowy days more bearable. And all that red makes it just perfect for Valentine’s Day, too!

    Try this Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe at your next get-together, and I guarantee that this delicious little appetizer will be the talk of the table!

    Tips

    What type of bread should I use for my crostini recipe?

    Use a fine-textured bread that is small and wide, like a baguette. 

    What is the difference between a bruschetta recipe and a crostini recipe?

    They share many similarities! The main difference is that a larger piece of bread is used for bruschetta and that the bread is grilled, not toasted. That’s why it’s called “bruschetta”, as a matter of fact – this comes from the Italian “bruscare”, which means to roast over coals. People often associate bruschetta with garlic and diced tomatoes, but really, like crostini recipes, they can be topped with a wide variety of different things. If interested, here is my go-to tomato bruschetta recipe.  

     

    Recipe inspiration

    I had the privilege of attending a culinary event sponsored by POM wonderful. It was described as “a fresh and fun culinary event – POP-UP with POM WONDERFUL.” I got to experience the tastes and textures of cooking with pomegranates, and I was so thrilled to be there!!

    The event was hosted by Pom and the animators were Andréanne Martin Dt.p.  (of NutriSimple) and Chef Martin Patenaude. Chef Martin made a few recipes that incorporated pomegranates in some crucial way, and of course, this Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe was one of the recipes featured. After the demonstration, all of the attendees had the chance to make – and, of course, sample – each of the recipes. Delicious! We were sent away with lovely recipe cards and a swag bag. 

    This Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe was by far my favorite among those demonstrated, but there are some others that I’m sure I will be sharing with you soon (did someone say brownies?) – stay tuned! Overall, though, it was a fantastic event and I had heaps of fun.

    As you know, I love pomegranates and I was so happy to be surrounded by foodies who felt the same way! Pomegranates are not only healthy but also great to use in recipes. You probably know that I have already sung the praises of this wonderful fruit in this Spinach Pomegranate Winter Salad and Italian Fennel Salad. If interested, I have also shared my favorite way to open a pomegranate in this pomegranate video tutorial.  

    What you see here is basically Chef Martin’s recipe – I didn’t deviate from this crostini recipe, because it had all the elements required for a great crostini recipe. The only change I made was whipping up my ricotta. I’ve already talked about the wonders of whipped ricotta in my recipe for Strawberry Ricotta, so I thought it would be great to revisit it and use it for this crostini recipe!

    Try this Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe at your next get-together, and I guarantee that this delicious little appetizer will be the talk of the table!

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made this Ricotta Crostini recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    The completed Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe.

    Ricotta Crostini Recipe

    This Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe is elegant, sweet, and, like all great crostini recipes, tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. A must-try!
    5 from 4 votes
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Canadian Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 82kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup Pomegranate juice
    • 1 french baguette day old or fresh, whole wheat or multigrain
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • fresh thyme
    • ¾ cup ricotta partly skimmed
    • ¾ cup pomegranate seeds
    • ¼ cup pistacchio nuts toasted,chopped
    • ¼ cup pea shoots
    • few sprigs thyme fresh
    • fleur de sel

    Instructions

    To make a simple pomegranate reduction:

    • Pour pomegranate juice in a small saucepan.
    • Simmer on low heat until juice is reduced by half and can coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 20-25 minutes. 

    To make the crostini:

    • Preheat oven to 375° F (190°C). Position rack in the center.
    • Slice the baguette diagonally into 12 slices about ¼ inch thick.
    • Place baguette slices on a cookie sheet. 
    • Lightly brush with avocado oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper to taste.  
    • Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted, turning over halfway through until golden and crisp on both sides.
    • Rub each slice of warm bread with fresh thyme. Make ahead: The crostini can be made up to 24 hours in advance; allow to cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

    To make the whipped ricotta:

    • Simply use a small or hand held blendar and process until smooth and creamy. Make ahead: Can be refrigerated for up to 2 days until ready to be used. Bring to room temperature when ready to assemble crostini.

    To assemble:

    • Spread about 1 tablespoon of whipped ricotta on each crostini.
    • Drizzle pomegranate reduction over ricotta. 
    • Sprinkle pomegranate arils, chopped fresh thyme and chopped pistachio nuts evenly over crostini. 
    • Place a few pea shoots decoratively on each crostini.
    • Sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
    • Arrange on platter and serve.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Video

    Notes

    Leftover pomegranate reduction can be kept in the fridge for about 1 month. 
    1 serving = 1 crostini
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 91mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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    The completed Whipped Ricotta Pomegranate Crostini Recipe on a tray.

     

    Disclosure: I was provided with a swag bag with product at the end of the event.  I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. Views and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

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    Filed Under: Appetizers, Breakfast and Brunch, Ricotta Cheese

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon Davie

      November 05, 2022 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      I aye this at a party last night and it was festive and great taste. I got the recipe necause I liked it so much!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 06, 2022 at 7:25 am

        How wonderful Sharon! Thanks so much for sharing!

        Reply
    2. Ciao Chow Linda

      January 28, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      I meant avocado oil, not avocado. Sorry

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 28, 2018 at 9:11 pm

        Not to long ago, my husband returned from Costco with a bottle of avocado oil. Although I prefer my olive oil in so many of the dishes that I make -you will find that avocado oil does add a nice light flavor to this crostini recipe. Thanks so much for stopping by Linda 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ciao Chow Linda

      January 28, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      Wow. You have combined some of my favorite ingredients into a beautiful and delicious appetizer. I never tried avocado but want to get some now.

      Reply
    4. paula barbarito Levitt

      January 28, 2018 at 2:22 pm

      I am always searching for new ways to being the aperitivo hours and this is certainly a winner. Color, flavor, texture – the trifecta of presenting a beautiful dish. You photos always amaze me Marie, but these take my breath away….complimenti!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 28, 2018 at 9:16 pm

        Grazie Paula ♥ Honestly, I could not stop eating them as I was taking the pictures. Hope you get a chance to try this crostini recipe… I think you are going to love it! Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by ♥♥♥

        Reply
    5. Shareba

      January 27, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      These are beautiful! They look wonderfully crunchy too!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 28, 2018 at 11:06 am

        Thanks Shareba! Hope you get a chance to try them ♥

        Reply
    6. Chef Markus Mueller | Earth, Food, and Fire

      January 26, 2018 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      Wow these look fantastic! Goes to show that the best food doesn’t always have to be that complicated! I love pomegranates and wish I would use them more often at home. I’ll give these a try at one of my catering gigs and send everyone your way for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 27, 2018 at 10:59 am

        Thanks so much Markus! You are going to love this crostini recipe! Appreciate you stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    7. Dana

      January 26, 2018 at 10:19 am

      These are beautiful! I love how pomegranate arils look like little rubies. They add so much to a dish, and they give you a nice little burst of freshness. I’d devour all of these, no doubt. I can’t help myself around crostini.

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 26, 2018 at 10:28 am

        Thanks Dana! I totally agree… it is hard to stop at just one crostini! Thanks for stopping by ♥

        Reply
    8. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      January 26, 2018 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely GORGEOUS!! I could live on these, I’m pretty sure. How awesome would these be tonight with some vino? Pretty awesome, if you ask me 😉 Lovin’ all those flavours and textures. It definitely makes for one perfect bite! YUM! Happy Friday!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 26, 2018 at 9:58 am

        Thanks Dawn! This crostini recipe definitely delivers an explosion of flavors!!! Vino and crostini … a match made in heaven 😉 Thanks for stopping by ♥♥♥

        Reply
    9. Ann

      January 26, 2018 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      I love this Maria! The combination of elements sounds perfect for these crostini, but you also inspired me to try whipped ricotta and pomegranate reduction in other things! I am sorry I missed this pomegranate event. Sounds like so much fun 🙂

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 26, 2018 at 9:11 am

        The pomegranate reduction in this crostini recipe makes such a difference… you are going to love it Ann! Yes, the event was a lot of fun!!! Appreciate your comment, thanks for stopping by ♥

        Reply

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