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Embracing the winter citrus season with the simplest Whipped Ricotta Toast with lemon thyme honey. Olive oil toasted sourdough bread topped with creamy whipped ricotta cheese, caramelized oranges, salty prosciutto, and sweet honey infused with lemon and thyme. This is the simplest of meals, but…it is SO GOOD. Enjoy for breakfast, brunch, a quick (simple) lunch, or as an easy appetizer for your next dinner party. You can’t go wrong.
I know this saying is often overused, but it’s true, the simplest things tend to be the best. I made this toast last week, only intending to possibly share it on Instagram stories. But I ended up loving it so much that I decided to share the details here on the blog as well.
I can often get hung up on recipes not being worthy of a blog post simply because they are “too simple”. But after creating an entire cookbook on simple (delicious) recipes, I’ve slowly learned that these under thirty-minute, under 10 ingredient, recipes are the ones we actually need the most (they’re also the hardest recipes to create).
I’m not sure I’ve shared this bit of information with you all, but writing HBH Super Simple was one of the most challenging things I’ve done. The thing about super simple recipes? They can be tricky to make both simple and delicious. It can take a lot of tweaking to make a simple recipe that’s actually GOOD.
This toast, however, needed no tweaking. It’s mouthwateringly delicious, insanely simple, and what I call the perfect any time of day meal. It’s even a little sweet and a little savory…my favorite.
Here are the details.
Start with the citrus. Really you can use any fruit you’d like. But it’s the dead of winter, and as I said on Friday, I’m really embracing citrus season this year. It doesn’t last that long, so use up those oranges while you can. And honestly? If you’ve never roasted oranges before, I’m excited to be the one to tell you to do so…delicious.
The key? Broiling the oranges with honey. This caramelizes the oranges, warms them, but doesn’t allow for all of the juices to run out of the fruit.
While the oranges are roasting, make the lemon thyme honey. Simply simmer together lemon, thyme, and honey until the honey is warm and infused with fresh lemony thyme flavor. Very simple, but again, so good. You will not need all of the honey, but the leftovers are delicious when drizzled on your morning oatmeal or toast. Oh, or serve the honey as a sweet finish to your next salad.
At this point, it’s already time to assemble. Toast each slice of bread, rub with olive oil, then layer on the whipped ricotta cheese, roasted oranges, salty prosciutto, and sweet honey. Complete with a bit of flaky sea salt and black pepper.
One word, yum.
Ok. so let’s talk about the bread.
Since this recipe is so simple, it’s important to use really good bread. I’m recommending a loaf of sourdough for two reasons.
Reason one, sourdough flavor is tangy, sour, and so delicious. Especially when paired with this combination of creamy ricotta, sweet oranges, and salty prosciutto. I love the “sourness’ it contributes.
Reason two, all the major health benefits of eating sourdough bread. Hey, it’s Healthy January, so I figured we’d better use a bread that has some health benefits. If you’re curious, you can read about all the benefits of sourdough bread here.
This toast makes for a great brunch item, light lunch, or even super fast dinner. Maybe add a simple arugula salad to round things out.
Easy, but delicious. And sometimes that’s really all you need…and all that you have time for!
If you make this whipped ricotta toast, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Simplest Whipped Ricotta Toast with Lemon Thyme Honey
Ingredients
- olive oil, for brushing
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon honey
- 1-2 teaspoons Meyer or regular lemon zest + 2 tbs juice, to your taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 4-6 slices thicker cut sourdough bread, toasted
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, whipped in the food processor, if desired
- 2 ounces prosciutto, torn, (optional)
- flaky sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the broiler to high. Rub a baking sheet with oil. Arrange the orange slices in a single layer, drizzle with 1 tablespoon honey. Place under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, watching closely, until the oranges are beginning to char.2. Meanwhile, heat together the 1/4 honey, lemon zest + juice, and thyme in a small saucepan over low heat. 3. Rub the warm toasted bread with olive oil. Spread with ricotta, top with roasted oranges, prosciutto, and drizzle with the honey mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hi! I love all your recipes. I still think you should open a restaurant!! I wondered if you thought the oranges could be made ahead of time, just one day early or if they would get soggy and not do well. Trying to prep as much ahead of time for an upcoming brunch!
Hey Jenni,
That would be okay to do. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made these yesterday, but I subbed the blood oranges for figs as I had them in my garden and they are in season. Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Sylvia! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I’ve had leftover ricotta in the fridge for days and had no idea what to do with it till I saw this! I just discovered your site and it’s amazing, and I adored the recipe, it was delicious!!
Thank you so much Claire! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
Can you make this with clementines?
Hi,
I haven’t tried that and it would completely change the flavor but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was delicious!! I used tangerines. So easy.
Definitely keeping this one in my rotation!!
Thank you so much Gina! xTieghan
Omg, this was amazing. Pure, magnificent decadence. We made it vegetarian by just adding kosher salt and (obviously) omitting the prosciutto. Thank you for this epic recipe!
Amazing!! I am really glad this turned out so well for you Leor! xTieghan
I wanted a quick dinner for myself so made this. It was delicious! The only thing I did differently was I put the honey and thyme on the oranges while roasting (this was because I was being lazy and did not want to wash an additional saucepan. Feel free to judge my laziness). Turned out really nice and I loved the flavor combinations.
Love that!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you Lauren! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try this. Roasted oranges! I love the amazing smell they give off when we dry them in the oven to decorate for Christmas….you are a genius for actually thinking to eat them!!! ?… especially with everything else here.. YUM!
Haha thank you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you Franchesca! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Thanks for this super idea using oranges—cannot wait to try it! One of my peach season go-to app recipes is for pretty much the same thing but with thinly sliced peaches, basil instead of thyme, and homemade ricotta (so very easy that I don’t buy it anymore).
Hi Karoline! I hope you love this recipe! Let me know how it turns out for you! xTieghan
Thoughts on using maple syrup instead of honey?
Hi Megan! I am sure maple will be great!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I had spare ricotta and blood oranges in the fridge so just made this for lunch, without the prosciutto. It was delightful and refreshing! Highly recommended.
Thank you so much Pearl! I am so glad this turned out so well! xTieghan
Oh, I can’t wait to try this one ?
Can I broil Orange on opened toaster? With the parchment paper underneath the oranges ofc. I don’t want to heat my oven just for this ?❤️
Hi Lea, I am sure cooking the oranges in your toast oven will be fine. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I love it when bloggers do this! Thank you for not making me beg. 😉 Trying the Massaman Curry this week. Happy New Year!
Thank you Jane! I hope you love the curry! xTieghan
Pure genius!!!!
Thank you so much Joanna! xTieghan
This looks amazing! I totally need to make this for breakfast tomorrow!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Hi Paige! I hope you love this if you do decide to make! Thank you! xTieghan