Baked Ricotta with Lemon, Garlic, and Chives

Looking for an easy, elegant appetizer? This baked ricotta is perfect for you. Traditionally, baked ricotta includes an egg for a soufflé-like rise and fluffiness, but in this simplified version, all you need are lemon, garlic, and fresh chives, with a drizzle of good olive oil to finish. The best part? It takes just 5 minutes to mix everything together and pop it in the oven!

Ingredients

Servings: 6-8

• About 2 cups whole milk ricotta
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup fresh chives, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Small crackers or slices of baguette, to serve

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a ½- to 1-quart gratin dish or baking pan.
2. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, lemon juice and zest, garlic, chives, salt, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. (If you want, you can prepare this in advance and refrigerate it overnight.)
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Drizzle with more olive oil before serving. Serve immediately with crackers or baguette slices for dipping.

Want to grow your own chives for this recipe? Keep them fresh year-round with our Herb Seeds.