Tangy Salted Ricotta with Plums & Basil Oil: Easy Appetizer

Name: Tangy Salted Ricotta with Plums & Basil Oil: Easy Appetizer
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 12 oz Ricotta cheese (strained from the juices); 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (quality, for ricotta mixture); 4 oz Soft sheep's milk cheese (if using feta or goat cheese, you may need a food processor to blitz it to get it super creamy); 2-4 oz Crème fraiche; to taste Salt (for ricotta mixture); 2 large Fresh plums (sliced, for topping); 1/2 cup, packed Fresh basil leaves (for basil oil); 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil (for basil oil); to taste Flaky sea salt (for topping)

Never show up to a dinner party empty handed! A bottle of wine or a simple dish to supplement the spread is always a good idea :) Like these plums on a bed of tangy salted ricotta with basil oil and flakey sea salt! This easy recipe features creamy, tangy salted ricotta, sweet sliced plums, and aromatic basil oil, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Perfect for entertaining and a delightful summer treat!

#Appetizer

#Ricotta

#Plums

#Basil Oil

#Easy Recipe

#Party Food

#Vegetarian

#Summer Dish

#No Cook

Tangy Ricotta with Plums and Basil Oil

Recipe Information

15m

Prep Time

Cook Time

15m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Mediterranean

English

Nutrition (per serving)

470

Calories

16g

Protein

11g

Carbs

41g

Fat

Delicious Plated Appetizer

Ingredients

Ricotta cheese
(strained from the juices)
12 oz
Extra virgin olive oil
(quality, for ricotta mixture)
2 tbsp

Soft sheep's milk cheese
(if using feta or goat cheese, you may need a food processor to blitz it to get it super creamy)
4 oz
Crème fraiche
2 oz
Salt
(for ricotta mixture)
to taste
Fresh plums
(sliced, for topping)
2 large
Fresh basil leaves
(for basil oil)
1 cup, packed

Extra virgin olive oil
(for basil oil)
1 cup
Flaky sea salt
(for topping)
to taste

Servings: 4

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Ricotta Spread with Fresh Plums

Instructions

0/7 completed

1
Strain the ricotta: Place the ricotta cheese in a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth set over a bowl. Allow it to drain for about 1 minute, pressing gently to remove excess liquid.
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1m
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Strain the ricotta: Place the ricotta cheese in a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth set over a bowl. Allow it to drain for about 1 minute, pressing gently to remove excess liquid.
1m
For a thicker ricotta, strain for a longer duration (e.g., 30 minutes to an hour).
2
Prepare the basil oil: In a mortar and pestle, muddle fresh basil leaves with 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil until the basil is fragrant and the oil turns a bright green. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, finely chop the basil and mix it vigorously with the oil.
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3m
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Prepare the basil oil: In a mortar and pestle, muddle fresh basil leaves with 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil until the basil is fragrant and the oil turns a bright green. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, finely chop the basil and mix it vigorously with the oil.
3m
Use fresh, vibrant basil for the best flavor and color in your oil.

3
Mix the ricotta: In a medium bowl, combine the strained ricotta, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, the soft sheep's milk cheese, and crème fraiche. Season generously with salt to taste. Mix well with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If using feta or goat cheese, you might need to use a food processor for a super creamy texture.
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2m
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Mix the ricotta: In a medium bowl, combine the strained ricotta, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, the soft sheep's milk cheese, and crème fraiche. Season generously with salt to taste. Mix well with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If using feta or goat cheese, you might need to use a food processor for a super creamy texture.
2m
Taste and adjust salt as needed to balance the tanginess of the cheeses.
4
Plate the ricotta: Spread the creamy ricotta mixture evenly onto a serving platter or shallow bowl, creating a beautiful bed for the toppings.
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1m
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Plate the ricotta: Spread the creamy ricotta mixture evenly onto a serving platter or shallow bowl, creating a beautiful bed for the toppings.
1m
Use the back of a spoon to create gentle swirls or indentations for an appealing presentation.
5
Slice the plums: Thinly slice the fresh plums into elegant pieces.
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1m
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Slice the plums: Thinly slice the fresh plums into elegant pieces.
1m
Choose ripe but firm plums for easier slicing and a sweet-tart flavor.

6
Arrange the plums: Artfully arrange the sliced plums over the bed of ricotta, overlapping them slightly for a beautiful display.
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1m
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Arrange the plums: Artfully arrange the sliced plums over the bed of ricotta, overlapping them slightly for a beautiful display.
1m
Experiment with different arrangements to find what looks most appealing.
7
Finish and serve: Drizzle the prepared basil oil generously over the plums and ricotta. Finish with a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread, or enjoy as a standalone appetizer.
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1m
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Finish and serve: Drizzle the prepared basil oil generously over the plums and ricotta. Finish with a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread, or enjoy as a standalone appetizer.
1m
A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the flavors and adds texture.