Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast Is the Final No-Cook dinner Meal

Rising up, my family favored savory summer time fruit. We appreciated fruit as a deliciously candy, warm-weather deal with. When picked at peak ripeness, it was evident: no matter fruit was served would rival the sweetness of virtually any dessert round. (Summery desserts, very a lot so included.) And whereas I really like a superb bowl of honey-kissed peaches, ice cream, and berries galore, my affiliation with fruit is firstly savory. That’s why, after I was tasked with making a ricotta toast that will turn into my final late-summer snack, I sought an fringe of spicy, jalapeño-laced goodness.

With out fail, my mother at all times saved a bowl of no matter fruit was in season on the counter. She would high it with black salt and chaat masala—giving the melons, pears, apples, and so forth a sweet-meets-savory and barely salty taste that could be very close to addictive. And when summer time comes round, I’m at all times on the lookout for methods to pair these savory flavors with the sweetness of warm-weather fruit. At present’s model? My actually addicting, minty melon ricotta toast.

I do know what you’re pondering—at first, it’s an intriguing, if not sudden combo. However within the search of recent methods to rejoice summer time fruits, I figured including just a little spice could be the right strategy to elevate the sweetness of summer time melons. This toast is a type of “no recipe” recipes, coming collectively in about ten minutes. It’s excellent for these evenings when the considered turning on the stovetop appears just a bit an excessive amount of.

Components for Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast

Cantaloupe. I really like cantaloupe, significantly in the summertime when its taste leans extra floral in sweetness. In the event you don’t, you need to use honeydew, blackberries, peaches, or no matter fruit you crave.

Jalapeño and crimson chili powder. Each add a barely completely different warmth and taste. I like utilizing each to deliver just a little spice to this recipe.

Mint. Freshly chopped so as to add some brightness to the toast.

Honey. I discover that honey enhances the sweetness of fruit with out being overpowering. If you need just a little extra sweetness, add a pinch of sugar to style.

Lemon juice. A bit of acidity is at all times the important thing to brightening up any recipe whereas reducing via the sweetness.

Ricotta. Complete milk, at all times.

Sourdough. Toasted till golden brown. The crunchy texture acts as a pleasant complement to the creamy and tender toppings.

2 of 6

3 of 6

4 of 6

Ideas for Serving

Whereas it is a no-recipe recipe, there are a number of methods to maximizing taste.

• Prep the cantaloupe forward of time. Not solely does this permit the flavors to all meld collectively, however giving it an opportunity to hang around within the fridge retains every part chilly. And I don’t have to inform you that summer time melons style ten occasions higher when ice chilly and crisp.
• Function an meeting line. The great a part of prepping the melons and the ricotta forward of time is that you could set this up as a “serve your self” meal. This additionally retains the bread from getting soggy and permits folks to serve up their toast as they like.
• If you want, function a salad. Unfold ricotta onto a platter and pour over the melons. High with as many contemporary herbs as you possibly can, drizzle with olive oil, and luxuriate in.

What to Serve With This Spicy Melon Ricotta Toast

This recipe is ideal for any end-of-summer menu you might have deliberate. Contemplate serving as a facet dish, appetizer, or salad at your subsequent golden hour dinner alongside your favorites.

To take issues excessive, serve some arugula tossed in lemon juice and olive oil so company can assemble their very own salad. Put out a bowl of Greek yogurt for a sweet-meets-savory summer time yogurt bowl. Make it an entire fruit salad and use a medley of fruits of your alternative. Both manner, you’ll be coming again to this one for seconds—assured.

5 of 6

Print