Crostini is one my favorite appetizers because:

1.) it’s easy

2.) it travels well, and

3.) it’s cute as heck.

I opted for a half cashew/half tofu ricotta because honestly I just think it tastes good, but also it’s more cost effective than using entirely cashews. If you’d like to only use tofu, you can just add the onions and garlic in with the rest of the ingredients and process once.

If you’re not wanting to make crostini today, you can use this ricotta in lasagna, pasta, on toast, in sandwiches, or however else you see fit!

What you’ll need for this recipe:

• balsamic vinegar and maple syrup for the glaze
• olive oil
• yellow onion
• garlic
• cashews
• tofu
• non-dairy milk
• basil leaves
• lemon juice
• nutritional yeast
• white miso paste
• salt & pepper
• strawberries
• and a baguette

Strawberry and Vegan Basil Ricotta Crostini with Balsamic Glaze

Hannah

One of my favorite apps – crostini! This recipe features juicy sliced strawberries, vegan basil ricotta made with tofu and cashews, and balsamic glaze for drizzling over the top.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Servings 30 crostini (depending on size of baguette)

Ingredients

  

Balsamic Glaze

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp maple syrup

Vegan Basil Ricotta

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3/4 cup raw cashews softened*
• 7 oz firm tofu (1/2 block) drained and broken into chunks
• 1/2 cup plain unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn
• 1/2 lemon juiced
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tbsp white miso paste
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

Crostini

• 1 baguette
• vegan basil ricotta
• sliced strawberries
• balsamic glaze
• fresh basil

Instructions

 

Balsamic Glaze

• Add balsamic vinegar and maple syrup to a small sauce pan over medium heat. When it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the liquid reduces by half, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool before using.

Vegan Basil Ricotta

• Sauté onion and garlic in oil over medium heat until the onions soften and the edges are beginning to brown. Remove from heat.
• Add cashews, milk, and the cooked onion and garlic to a food processor and process until smooth.
• Add tofu, basil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, miso paste, salt, and pepper and process again until smooth. Taste and adjust the amount of salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice if needed.

Crostini

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Slice the baguette on a bias into 1/2 inch thick pieces, brush each side with oil, and bake for 5-7 minutes per side until edges are golden brown.
• Top crostini with the ricotta, sliced strawberries, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Notes

*To soften cashews: place them in a bowl of very hot water for 20-30 minutes, or allow them to soak overnight in a bowl of water in the fridge

Balsamic vinegar can be drizzled over the top in place of the balsamic glaze, if desired.

 

Keyword crostini, ricotta crostini, strawberry basil crostini, vegan crostini