Crostini with Creamy Ricotta and Chorizo

By mirandavoegeli

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Six 1/2-inch-thick slices of Italian peasant bread
• 2 small garlic cloves, 1 minced
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 small dry chorizo (about 3 ounces), thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 small head of frise, tender white and light green leaves only

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

Put the ricotta in a fine sieve set over a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Discard the liquid in the bowl. Wipe out the bowl, add the thickened ricotta and stir in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Preheat a grill pan. Lightly brush both sides of the bread slices with oil and grill, turning once, until toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer the toasts to a platter and rub them with the whole garlic clove.

In a small bowl, toss the red onion with 2 tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar and let stand for 10 minutes; drain the onion, discarding the vinegar. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the remaining 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 5 minutes.

In a medium skillet, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil with the minced garlic, chorizo, tarragon and parsley. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

Spread the ricotta on the toasts and top with the warm chorizo. Garnish with the frise and pickled onions. Drizzle with the reduced balsamic vinegar and serve.