Home » Recipes » Starters » Whipped Ricotta with Grilled Peaches and Basil Honey
Whipped Ricotta with Grilled Peaches and Basil Honey
0
When peaches hang heavy on the tree and basil runs wild in the garden, this starter celebrates both at their peak. Silky whipped ricotta becomes a cloud beneath warm, caramelized peaches, all drizzled with fragrant basil-infused honey. Elegant enough for a dinner party, simple enough for a weeknight — it comes together in under twenty minutes.
⏱ Prep 10 min🔥 Cook 6 min👥 Serves 4📊 Level Easy
Ingredients for 4 people
1½ cups (350g) whole-milk ricotta
2 tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for grilling
Zest of 1 lemon, plus 1 tsp juice
3 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted
3 tbsp (60g) runny honey
8–10 fresh basil leaves, plus small leaves to garnish
¼ cup (30g) toasted pistachios, roughly chopped
Flaky sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 slices sourdough or baguette (optional, to serve)
The Recipe
Warm the honey gently in a small pan until just fluid. Remove from heat, tear in the basil leaves, and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves and set the infused honey aside.
Place the ricotta, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk vigorously (or blend) for 2–3 minutes until light, smooth and airy. Chill until needed.
Heat a grill pan or barbecue over medium-high. Brush the cut faces of the peaches lightly with olive oil.
Place the peaches cut-side down and grill undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until deep char marks form and the fruit softens slightly. Turn and grill 1 minute more.
If serving with bread, brush the slices with oil and toast on the grill until golden.
Spread the whipped ricotta generously across a serving plate or divide among individual plates, creating gentle swoops with the back of a spoon.
Arrange the warm peaches over the ricotta. Drizzle everything with the basil honey.
Scatter with toasted pistachios, small basil leaves, flaky salt and a grind of black pepper. Serve immediately with the toasted bread alongside.
