![Ingredients for the ricotta-tomato toasts recipe](https://www.eatingwell.com/thmb/e2gDp6Ris5KBCPQXA67Z7Hnc_9A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ricotta-tomato-toast-8054817-ingredients-1x1-fa44a5d5434d4047997ec77f2fc97181.jpg)
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Ingredients
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¾ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
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½ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
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¼ cup chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus 1 1/2 teaspoons, divided
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1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon pepper
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4 (3/4-inch-thick) slices crusty whole-grain bread, toasted
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2 small multicolored heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Directions
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Combine ricotta, basil, chives, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until smooth, about 1 minute.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Spread the mixture evenly over toast slices. Top with tomatoes; drizzle with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil. Garnish with additional basil and chives before serving, if desired.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ricotta cheese is a good source of several nutrients. A half-cup of whole-milk ricotta will give you a healthy dose of protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin A. This versatile, healthy cheese can be used in savory and sweet dishes.
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Tomatoes are packed with nutrients. A lot of tomatoes' nutritional value lies in their antioxidants, which include lycopene, beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants have been shown to be helpful for eye, heart and skin health.
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Yes! The only animal product this recipe contains is ricotta cheese, so as long as you eat dairy, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly. You could replace the ricotta with a vegan version to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
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Yes, you can. Part-skim ricotta is lower in fat and isn't as creamy as whole-milk ricotta, but it has a fresh cheese flavor that works well here.
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If you can't find heirloom tomatoes, feel free to use any variety of ripe tomatoes. Try grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, sliced raw or blistered under the broiler. If you have a grill, you can fire-roast tomatoes to bring out their natural sweetness.
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Serve ricotta-tomato toast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast. For lunch, it's delicious paired with soup and these healthy alternatives to chips. Make it for dinner with a hearty grilled steak salad, grilled chicken salad or grilled veggies.
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Heirloom tomatoes are varieties of non-hybrid tomatoes that are open-pollinated, which means they're pollinated naturally by bees, birds, other insects or wind. Heirloom tomatoes are grown from seeds that have been passed down from generation to generation. They have a sweeter flavor, and are delicious when enjoyed as is.
Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
259 | Calories |
16g | Fat |
19g | Carbs |
10g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
Serving Size 1 toast | |
Calories 259 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Carbohydrate 19g | 7% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 14% |
Total Sugars 5g | |
Protein 10g | 20% |
Total Fat 16g | 21% |
Saturated Fat 5g | 25% |
Cholesterol 24mg | 8% |
Vitamin A 1563IU | 31% |
Vitamin C 20mg | 22% |
Vitamin D 5IU | 1% |
Vitamin E 2mg | 13% |
Folate 52mcg | 13% |
Vitamin K 39mcg | 33% |
Sodium 444mg | 19% |
Calcium 151mg | 12% |
Iron 1mg | 6% |
Magnesium 45mg | 11% |
Potassium 414mg | 9% |
Zinc 1mg | 9% |
Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.
* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.