Easy Pea and Ricotta Crostini Recipe

This Pea and Ricotta Crostini recipe is super quick and easy, fresh and incredibly tasty. It's perfect for springtime entertaining or as a healthy snack since it contains fiber and is high in protein. Keep a container of this spread for dipping veggies or crackers, mixing into pasta dishes or spreading onto toast.

Main Ingredients and Nutrition Notes

• Frozen Green Peas- frozen peas are pre-cooked and super convenient for using in pasta dishes, dips and spreads and are still an excellent source of fiber and nutrients.

• Part Skim Ricotta Cheese- using part-skim milk ricotta cuts back on saturated fat while still being high in protein- an important thing to monitor especially if trying to reduce cholesterol levels. I love using ricotta in lots of different ways like in my breakfast parfaits and on toast with fruit or with vegetables like in my carrot bruschetta.

• Garlic Salt- rather than use fresh garlic which can overpower the delicate flavor of peas, I opted to use garlic salt which is milder and imparts a more delicate flavor. If you really love garlic, feel free to use fresh instead.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- adds richness with just a few drops (but if you wanted to cut back on calories, you can skip it altogether).

• Crunchy Baguette Bread- crostini recipes call for slicing then toasting the bread. I personally don't like the bread too hard and crunchy so just a few minutes in the oven is all that's needed. I'll often spread this mixture right onto fresh bread!! SOOO good!!

• Fresh Mint Leaves- adds an element of springtime freshness (something about peas and mint go so perfectly together)!

Step-by-Step Quick Guide

Ways to Use Pea and Ricotta Spread

• As a dietitian, I would recommend using this pea and ricotta spread as a healthy alternative to highly processed store-bought dips and spreads that are usually high in fat and sodium.

• Add a dollop to pasta dishes to add extra creaminess and protein (for example, I added this to my family's favorite pasta with broccoli and chicken dish- I'll share that recipe soon!)

• Spread it onto sandwiches or even try it on bagels for a pop of fresh flavor!

How To Store Bread in the Freezer

I've cooked and entertained A LOT in my lifetime, and one thing I don't like doing is any shopping, whatsoever, on the day guests arrive. Even bread can be bought in advance! Here's how you do it:

When buying your baguette bread ahead of time, pre-slice it and store it in either a freezer-safe ziplock bag or wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil until you're ready to use.

I'll either take the bread out in the morning to defrost, or if I need it quickly, I'll pop it right in the oven until warm and crunchy. Tastes just as fresh as the moment I bought it. The key though is to freeze it immediately once you get home, so it doesn't have a chance to get stale.