Mediterranean Ricotta Board (Print Version)
Creamy ricotta topped with Mediterranean vegetables, olives, and fresh herbs on a beautiful serving board.
# What You Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
→ Vegetables & Fruits
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
04 - 1/3 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
05 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
06 - 1/4 cup artichoke hearts, quartered
07 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Bread & Crackers
08 - 1 baguette or 12-16 crostini, toasted
→ Herbs & Garnishes
09 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh oregano or thyme leaves
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Spread the ricotta cheese evenly over a large serving board or platter. Create decorative swirls using the back of a spoon to add texture and visual appeal.
02 - Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, roasted red peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, and red onion sections around and over the ricotta. Organize in distinct sections or create an artistic decorative pattern.
03 - Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil generously over both the ricotta and arranged vegetables for richness and flavor.
04 - Sprinkle chopped basil, fresh oregano or thyme, and lemon zest evenly across the board. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and flaky sea salt to taste.
05 - Present the board with toasted baguette slices or crostini alongside for guests to scoop and enjoy the ricotta and toppings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in 20 minutes but looks like you spent all afternoon crafting it
- Guests can customize their bites, which always sparks the best conversations
02 -
- Ricotta weeps water as it sits, so assemble this no more than an hour before serving
- Room temperature ricotta spreads like silk—cold ricotta fights you and tears the bread
03 -
- If you're not serving vegetarians, drape prosciutto over one section—the salt hits different against the cool ricotta
- A final drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving adds a sweet acidity that pulls everything together