Strawberry Ricotta Honey (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Foundation

01 - 1 tablespoon of top-quality olive oil
02 - A light pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
03 - 1 loaf of baguette, cut into ½-inch slices

→ Creamy Ricotta Blend

04 - ¼ cup of freshly chopped basil leaves
05 - 1 cup of full-fat ricotta cheese
06 - ¼ teaspoon of salt
07 - 2 tablespoons of honey
08 - 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

→ Sweet Strawberry Layer

09 - Fresh mint leaves for decoration (optional)
10 - 2 cups of strawberries, thinly sliced
11 - ¼ teaspoon of salt
12 - 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze
13 - 1 tablespoon of honey

# Instructions:

01 - Turn on your oven and set it to 200°C (400°F). Lay out the baguette slices on a baking tray, sprinkle with olive oil, and add a pinch of salt. Bake them for around 2 minutes until crispy with a light golden color.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the strawberries, a dab of honey, and a dash of salt. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bring out the flavors and sweetness.
03 - Stir the ricotta, honey, pinch of salt, and vanilla together in a separate bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. If you’re adding basil, fold it in gently at the end.
04 - Spread a thick layer of ricotta mix on the toasted bread once it's cooled slightly. Add some of the strawberry topping on each slice, finish off with a drizzle of both honey and balsamic glaze, a crack of fresh black pepper, and some mint leaves if you'd like. Enjoy while the bread's still warm!

# Notes:

01 - Tastes best if served right after making while the bread stays crispy
02 - Feel free to switch it up by trying other herbs like thyme or mint
03 - Prepare the ricotta portion a day ahead to save time