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It’s Friday!! Wahoo!! There’s no better feeling than knowing you have a whole weekend of fun activities planned, is there? I’m feeling energized, happy and totally eager for the weekend to begin. Tonight, I’m going to First Friday with two of my girlfriends right after work, then hunkering down for a marathon of Orange is the New Black with Kevin. Tomorrow I’m waking up at the crack up dawn to go shopping with my Mom because one of our favorite home décor shops is having a massive clearance sale, and I’d never miss that, plus my Mom offered to buy me a few things, so that helps. Tomorrow afternoon, we are hanging with friends and going see our beloved Royals play the Yankees, drinking some beers and scarfing down some hot dogs – words cannot describe my excitement for those hot dogs. Tomorrow night is one of my best friend’s 30th birthday party. I cap the whole weekend off with a baby shower and lots of cooking and blogging on Sunday. Crazy busy, but the perfect weekend nonetheless.
What are you guys up to?? Anything fun?
Now normally I’d go right into my recipe, but I have a little something I need to address, and it’s very important.
What the heck is happening to my girl Heather on RHOO?! (I know, I know, it’s so sad I’m so into this show.) I used to absolutely adore her, I loved her classy demeanor, her style, her home, her family – I was pretty much obsessed with everything about her. I wanted to be her. Buutt now, now she’s kind of a snooty little thing isn’t she? What was once endearing and charming about her, is now the very thing that bothers me. Sorry Heather, I’ve got a new favorite and her name is Shannon.
My apologies if I lost you non RHOO geeks…
Anyways.
Crostini. Perfect little baby pea and ricotta crostini.
The pretty green hue peas become when combined with ricotta makes these the perfect backdrop to any spring or summer menu, and I love that they just ooze elegance. BUT, what you see is pretty much what you get. There aren’t a lot of ingredients besides what’s listed in the title, and if you’re using store-bought ricotta, these babies are a serious cinch to make. I, do not do easy, so I used this recipe for homemade ricotta and skipped out on the rosemary and lemon, but it is not necessary even in the slightest to go that route, good quality store-bought ricotta will work fabulously.
Frozen peas are thrown into a pot of simmering watering and cooked lighting fast, literally just until they wake up a bit, and then rinsed in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure that gorgeous green color doesn’t turn into a dull, murky green. They’re then tossed into a food processor and pureed, hit with a few tablespoons of olive, salt, pepper and a good handful of parmesan cheese. The ricotta is dumped in and pulsed until the mixture is homogenous and then seasoned to taste with plenty of salt and just a touch of pepper (if it suites your taste).
The base of the crostini is simple – a baguette is sliced into ½ inch thick pieces, drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with plenty of salt and pepper and popped into the oven until they’re crisp. Right when I take them out, I like to rub garlic clove gently over each piece, it’s just gives it an extra layer of flavor that I love. The pea and ricotta mixture is spread over the crostini and then topped off with a few shards of parmesan cheese.
Light, refreshing and utterly gorgeous, these may be my favorite crostini to date! Make them for your next party, barbecue, baby shower or even just a random Friday night – whatever! Just make them.
These baby pea and ricotta crostini are the perfect backdrop to any spring or summer party! Easy, elegant and so delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 baguette sliced into ½ inch pieces
- ½ bag of frozen baby peas
- 1 small garlic clove
- 2 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for crostini
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated plus ¼ cup shaved for topping
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Drizzle bread with olive oil, season liberally with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and cook until crisp and just slightly golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Fill a pot with water, about ¼ full. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add in frozen peas. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until hot through and bright green. Drain and cool in ice water.
- Throw peas and garlic clove into food processor. Pulse until pureed. With the mixer on, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Add salt and parmesan cheese, pulse until combined. Add ricotta, pulse until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spread pea and ricotta mixture on crostini, top with shaved parmesan cheese.
whatjessicabakednext says
I love crostini recipes, and the pea and ricotta sounds amazing!
Nicole says
Thanks Jess!
Cassie says
These are so fun! I love crostini and the parmesan on top is perfection in my opinion. Have fun at the game…we were at The K for the Royals/Cardinals game last night!
Nicole says
Thanks Cassie!!! Game was a blast!!! 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Oh my gosh, just reading your schedule for the weekend is making me tired! How on Earth do you keep up?!
Anyway, RHOO- Heather has turned into a major whiny face! Like, get over yourself.
I still love her husband though. It looks like he’s about to go off on Shannon’s husband next week. I think he called him a penis n the preview? Not exactly what I’m used to hearing but I guess it gets the point across!
Oh, and I love these crostinis. You are like the MVP of baby shower guests.
Nicole says
Don’t be fooled Sarah! I don’t keep up at all!! I’m a basket case 99% of the time! I LOVEEEEE that you share my love for RHOO, Heather totally needs to get over herself, although this last Monday I kind of felt sorry for her. I thought Tamara was way too hard on her. Will always love Dr.Debrow. Did you know that Terry and Paul (Adrienne Maloof’s ex) are getting a plastic surgery show together????
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Wild crazy is the way I would describe your upcoming days. Your little baby pea crostini would be perfect with a glass of wine as you sit and take a relaxing moment between activities.
Nicole says
Actually Karen, a glass of wine of this corstini sounds absolutely PERFECT! ahhhhh
cheri says
Wow! what a busy week-end, sounds like fun. Love your little baby pea crostini. These are perfect!
Nicole says
Thanks Cheri!!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I can’t believe how amazing these sound … I also can’t believe you made your own ricotta? Seriously? Perhaps I’ve been living under a rock or something because I’ve never heard of anyone doing this. Amazing!
Sounds like you really do have the perfect weekend planned. Hope you enjoy it! As me for, flying to Australia tomorrow (as you do). Pinning this crostini!! 🙂
Nicole says
Homemade ricotta is so easy Helen! You should definitely try it sometime!! I can’t believe you’re flying to Australia tomorrow, have so much fun!!!
Danelle says
This is such a creative dish, and it looks so delicious! And beautiful too. 🙂
Nicole says
Thanks Danelle!!
Allison says
Well these just look incredible! I’ve never thought of putting peas on a crostini, but now it’s all I can think about! Yum!!! I totally agree with you, fun-filled weekends are the best!
Also, what a beautiful blog you have here! So happy to have found it! I love your photography, and the airiness of the space 🙂
Nicole says
Thank you SO MUCH Allison!!! I’m so glad to have you here!!!
Michele says
Seriously great crostinis ! One of my faves!!! Totally agree about Heather!! Very funny blog!
Isadora @ she likes food says
Crostini are one of my favorite snacks, sometimes I even eat them for dinner! I also rub mine with some garlic once they are crispy! I love the pea and ricotta mixture, sounds so fresh summery! Makes me want to have a party where everyone just brings different kinds of crostini!
Nicole says
Oooooo I like the sound of that party Isadora!!! I might have to get on that! Thanks!!