Revamp Your Lunch: Try This Tomato Ricotta Toast Over Traditional Sandwiches

One of summer’s greatest joys is devouring a sun-warmed, perfectly ripe tomato. These tomatoes are so good that often all they need is a touch of salt, but placing them atop a warm slice of toast makes for a delicious treat.

While the classic tomato sandwich with mayo is timeless, I prefer enhancing my summer tomatoes with smooth ricotta, a splash of olive oil, and a few fresh herbs, creating a scrumptious toast perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack.

Tips on Ingredients

The simplicity of this recipe means that the quality of ingredients is key:

• The bread: Choose a slice of sourdough or artisan bread to toast, or for added zest, coat your bread with olive oil and toast it in a skillet for a crispier texture.
• The cheese: Opt for whole-milk ricotta, the creamier the better. High-quality cheese makes a noticeable difference.
• The tomatoes: While heirloom tomatoes are my favorite, any vibrant, seasonal tomato will work. I’ve also enjoyed this recipe using halved sweet cherry tomatoes.
• The oil: A good-quality extra-virgin olive oil is essential, though it doesn’t have to be the priciest one on the shelf. I recommend options like Kirkland Italian Olive Oil or California Olive Ranch.
• The herbs: Choose fresh herbs like basil, mint, or oregano based on what’s fresh at the market or what you have growing in your garden.
• The salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt such as Maldon or Jacobsen enhances the flavor and texture immensely.

Crafting the Perfect Tomato Ricotta Toast

Here’s what you’ll need for a single serving:

• 1 slice of sourdough or artisan bread
• 2 to 4 tablespoons of whole-milk ricotta
• 2 to 3 slices of heirloom tomato
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Flaky sea salt
• 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped basil, mint, or oregano

Toast your bread until it’s golden brown using a toaster or toaster oven. Alternatively, for a richer flavor, lightly oil both sides of the bread with olive oil and toast it in a skillet over medium heat until each side is golden, about 3 minutes per side.

Layer the ricotta cheese thickly onto the toasted bread, add the tomato slices, and then drizzle with olive oil. Finish it off with a sprinkle of flaky salt and fresh herbs, and enjoy right away.