Crostini with Salsa Verde and Ricotta

June 18, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

I don’t often have religious moments and in truth they’re almost exclusively related to the ingestion of food. When I crunched my way into my first slice of this gorgeous crostini with ricotta and salsa verde I found myself muttering “Lordy be still my heart. That Bill Granger is a genius!” Of course since I was crunching away on the crunchiest sourdough (Brasserie Bread’s Quinoa loaf) it came out more looking like a SBS movie subtitle.

Whilst I’ve eaten salsa verde before, this was my first time making it. I’m probably one of the few people on earth that doesn’t really like tomato salsa so I never really ventured into making salsa verde. However I am now a convert. The salsa verde is a gorgeous, fresh tasting accompaniment which reminds me a little of tabouli in its freshness but with salt from the capers and anchovies. You may notice that there are only two slices on the plate. That is because when I made it, some very hungry people couldn’t hold back and proceeded to crunch on them while I was trying to get the photographs together. Some people! ;)

If ever you’re a fan of fresh, delicious and healthy flavours (and who isn’t?), I urge you to make this simple salsa verde. I have the crumb stained smiling faces of everyone in front of me as proof although I should probably warn that you most certainly risk a parsley in the teeth situation. And thankfully, that’s the only price to pay for such deliciousness.

So tell me Dear Reader, what dish or food has given you a religious moment? A perfect macaron? A pretty cupcake? A plate of soft, juicy ribs?

Pssst! In some exciting news, I will be a guest on Radio 89.7FM’s Food in Focus show this Saturday the 20th of June at 4pm. Tune in for my very first live discussion which is both exciting and scary!

Crostini with Salsa Verde and Ricotta

For salsa verde

  • 1 bunch of continental or flatleaf parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup of spring onions, chopped
  • juice from 1/2 a lemon
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil (I used rice bran oil)
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained, finely chopped
  • 4 anchovy fillets, blotted on a paper towel and finely chopped

To serve:

  • 8 slices of good quality sourdough
  • 200g ricotta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • freshly ground salt and pepper
  • sprinkle of nutmeg

Closeup of the Salsa Verde

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Combine all salsa verde ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine and set aside. It will look quite coarse.

Seasoned ricotta

2. Place bread on a tray and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12 minutes until lightly golden and crunchy. Meanwhile drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top of the ricotta, season this too and add a sprinkle of nutmeg.

3. When bread is toasted, layer on some salsa verde and then top with some ricotta.

Adapted from Feed Me Now by Bill Granger from Harpers Collins

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48 Comments | Add your own

  • 1. Steph | June 18, 2009 at 7:26 am | #

    I’ve never had salsa verde before, I’ll definitely have to try it. This looks delish!

  • 2. Meg{Feasting on Art} | June 18, 2009 at 7:46 am | #

    Oh yum!! I love sourdough, looks delicious!

  • 3. The Duo Dishes | June 18, 2009 at 7:55 am | #

    The salsa verde sounds delicious. Who woulda thunk anchovy lovers we’d be???? Not us!

  • 4. Rosa | June 18, 2009 at 7:58 am | #

    What delightful crostini! Really appetizing!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • 5. Cakelaw | June 18, 2009 at 7:59 am | #

    This sounds delicious Lorraine – Bill does produce some religious moments. Congrats on the radio gig.

  • 6. Maria | June 18, 2009 at 8:00 am | #

    Ok, that looks amazing! I must make this and soon!

  • 7. sandra | June 18, 2009 at 8:04 am | #

    Congratulations on your first radio appearance- it is very exciting- I wish you the best of luck.
    Crostini looks fab too!!!

  • 8. Trisha | June 18, 2009 at 8:11 am | #

    Anything with parsley, spring onions, and anchovies is good with me! Oh this looks so healthy but tasty (and the multi-grain bread validates that healthy point, I reckon!).

  • 9. BethieofVA | June 18, 2009 at 8:13 am | #

    I don’t know if I can get passed the anchovies, although it looks delicious.

  • 10. Jenny | June 18, 2009 at 8:18 am | #

    I love it when a food you’ve never tasted (but not expected much from) turns out to be fantastic! I had some veal in Florence the other week that was pretty life changing. Unlike any other meat I’d ever tasted.

    I’ve heard lots of good things about Bill Granger, I will have to check out his books :D

  • 11. Steph | June 18, 2009 at 8:21 am | #

    Looks wonderful! And healthy too, bonus! Hahaha I like your description of your religious moment, I think I must have sounded like that when I had my first good vanilla pannacotta :)

  • 12. Jo | June 18, 2009 at 8:56 am | #

    That looks great!

    For me religious experiences have happened with:
    1) The first chocolate panacotta I ever tried

    2) A cured acean trout, egg yolk and cavier dish at Tetstya’s and

    3) Each time I have one of the crossiants from the Bourke street Bakery!

  • 13. foodie-central | June 18, 2009 at 9:00 am | #

    Yum! They look great. I’m going to make them this weekend :)

    Congrats on the radio show. Will try to tune in!

  • 14. Gab* | June 18, 2009 at 9:14 am | #

    Looks delicous. Sounds like a great weekend lunch!

  • 15. Blond Duck | June 18, 2009 at 9:50 am | #

    I too, find inpsiration of the highest sort in food.

    Congrats on your radio spot! How thrilling!

  • 16. SydneyGal | June 18, 2009 at 9:54 am | #

    Looks delicious – and good luck on the radio!

    What else do you think you could use this salsa verde for? Could you put it on pasta, or on top of soup? Hints please, it looks so nice!

  • 17. betty | June 18, 2009 at 10:29 am | #

    ive set my phone to remind me! ill be tuning in while at the city :)

  • 18. Betty | June 18, 2009 at 11:23 am | #

    Looks delicious!! Hehe. Some people, i guess you should take that as a big compliment though! Congrats on the radio spot! So exciting for you :D OOh, and I’ve had a religious food moment with some grilled scallops – I seriously thought I had gone to heaven, they were THAT good ;) !!

  • 19. Alexandra | June 18, 2009 at 11:27 am | #

    Good luck on the radio show! How exciting :) that salsa verde looks wonderful…I’m not a big fan of tomatoes..so I should definitely give this a try…mmm…I can just imagine the complex flavours from the salsa…with the creaminess of the ricotta…on a nice crisp bread…I’m salivating!!

  • 20. Ellie | June 18, 2009 at 11:43 am | #

    Not a big fan of salsa verde, will stick to my tomato salsa but I love a good sourdough!! Congrats on your radio debut.

  • 21. Caroline | June 18, 2009 at 12:28 pm | #

    Mmmmm looks tasty and healthy :) . Where is that lovely bread from? Looks very Sonoma to me but if not let me know as my life quest is the best bread in Sydney.

  • 22. Not Quite Nigella | June 18, 2009 at 12:41 pm | #

    Hi Steph-It’s really lovely and fresh :D

    Hi Meg-Thankyou so much! :)

    Hi The Duo Dishes-I know! SO many ppl don’t like anchovies but you can’t really taste them in this :)

    Hi Rosa-Thankyou very much! :)

    Hi Cakelaw-Thanks, he does indeed doens’t he! Such a simple thing yet so good :) Thankyou!

    Hi Maria -Thanks! I’ve made it a few times since and hubby goes crazy for it :D

    Hi sandra-Thankyou so much! I’m nervous but excited :D

    Hi Trisha -It’s a great combo isn’t it :) Yes it’s quite healthy but doesn’t taste like you’re sacrificing anything :)

    Hi Bethie-Honestly, you don’t really taste them! :)

    Hi Jenny-It’s great isn’t it! :D I can imagine that would be amazing and exciting at the same time :)

    Hi Steph-Thankyou! Yes I love things that are healthy but you can’t really tell :lol: Ahh a good vanilla pannacotta, I can definitely believe that! :D

    Hi Jo-Thankyou! Oooh they sound like great items and well worth an epiphany!I’ve had the ocean trout and a croissant and have to concur! :D

    Hi foodie-central-Wonderful! I’d love to know what you think of it! :) Thankyou!

    Hi Gab*-Thankyou! Yes it would be perfect for a weekend lunch or brunch :D

    Hi Blond Duck-Thankyou so much! I hope it goes ok :lol:

    Hi SydneyGal-Why thankyou! :D I think it would be wonderful for a pasta salad and yes on top of soup. You could probably use it as a dip if you cut it up really finely so it’s easier to dip too :)

    Hi betty-Cool! Thankyou! :D

    Hi Betty-I know, it made me laugh and thankfully they saved me some to photograph :lol: Oooh grilled scallops are so good. I totally understand!

    Hi Alexandra-Thankyou! :D Ahh then you might like this -it’s full of nice fresh flavours and yes I love the

    crunchiness of the bread with the ricotta :)

    Hi Ellie-Ah really? :O You could do this with tomato sala I should think. Thankyou! :)

    Hi Caroline-Thanks! That’s Brasserie Bread’s Quinoa loaf which is just perfect for this :D I admire your quest! :) I have a competition on now to win a box of their bread here!

  • 23. Sophia | June 18, 2009 at 12:54 pm | #

    That crostini DOES look like heaven on a crust.
    Hmm…a religious experience with food…My first time trying almond butter over pumpkin oats!
    And oh my God! A radio spot! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m SO freaking happy and excited for you, and SO mad that I don’t get that radio channel all the way over in USA! >:-6

  • 24. Taiko Tari | June 18, 2009 at 1:13 pm | #

    Hey Lorraine, I’ve been meaning to ask you – ever cook from any Allison Holst’s recipes? I just ordered a bunch of cookbooks by her and tried out a few… oh my gosh, your cooking style looks very similar to yours. So simple, yet sooooo delicious!

  • 25. Liss | June 18, 2009 at 1:45 pm | #

    Oh wow. Another Bill recipe with ricotta! He loves it doesn’t he? Good thing I can make my own now in 1 hour! (How easy peasy – on my blog if anyone’s interested)

    I just had lunch and now I’m hungry again.. sigh!

  • 26. Arwen from Hoglet K | June 18, 2009 at 2:11 pm | #

    Oo, is the quinoa loaf gluten free? My gf bread from Deeks in Canberra is made from quinoa.

    Religious food experiences for me would have to be sweet ones. Maybe lemon delicious pudding.

  • 27. FFichiban | June 18, 2009 at 5:29 pm | #

    I can see that happening hee hee since it has some form of cheese mmm ^^!

  • 28. Midge | June 18, 2009 at 7:04 pm | #

    I can imagine how good this must have been: all salad-y, cheesy goodness on quinoa bread. *sigh*

    I’ll admit I go into raptures whenever I’m at my favorite chocolate shop and they have a new single-origin hot chocolate for folks to try. I get all cross-eyed, prayerful, and feel like swooning – though in a good way and not necessarily in that order. ;p

  • 29. sharon | June 18, 2009 at 8:03 pm | #

    Yum! I too am a salsa verde convert, only tried it for the first time a few months ago (a Stephanie Alexander recipe with corned beef). This crostini looks fabulous and simple will definitely try it. And good luck on the radio!

  • 30. Kim | June 18, 2009 at 8:53 pm | #

    Making my own ricotta is on my to do list. It has moved up to my do right now list after seeing your post. Fabulous looking food! I wish that I could hear you on the show, but clear across the world. You’ll do great, Lorraine. You are charming in print, I am sure even more charming on the radio.

  • 31. Panda | June 18, 2009 at 9:33 pm | #

    i share your frustrations when hungry hands get to the food before i can photograph it! this salsa verde looks yummo!

  • 32. nora@ffr | June 18, 2009 at 9:45 pm | #

    Hey Lorraine, congrates on the radio spot and good luck. ye salsa verde sound addictive..
    cheers!!

  • 33. Lilia | June 18, 2009 at 11:08 pm | #

    Is it Capers in wine vinegar from a jar?

  • 34. Yas | June 18, 2009 at 11:18 pm | #

    Hmmm I can easily imagine eating this for breakfast! I shall try this – I’ve got a jar of anchovy :)

    Congrats on your radio appearance! That’s exciting!! Good luck :)

  • 35. Marta | June 19, 2009 at 12:53 am | #

    Delicious!!!! They looks very healthy too and I love anythign with ricotta!
    My religious food moment comes in two ocassions:
    1) My perfectly delicious bowl of cereal, with nuts, berries, cinnamon, tons of bran, psyllium, flax and All-Bran. I’m fiber-obsessed and I absolutely adore this breakfast. I reserve it rigurously for weekends.
    2) My most amazing salad with spinach, broccoli, avocado, eggs, tomatos, grapes, almonds, chevre and balsamic vinaigrette… gosh, just thinking about it make my mouth water! I also limit this salad to weekends, when I can slowly and ceremoniously eat it!

  • 36. Lori @ RecipeGirl | June 19, 2009 at 1:11 am | #

    I love the idea of a salsa verde. I usually shy away from things like that… since I’m used to the typical red salsa. Looks like a wonderful thing to try though, especially with summery fresh ingredients!

  • 37. Jenn@slim-shoppin | June 19, 2009 at 3:38 am | #

    Good luck with the radio gig!! That sounds like fun!!

    I love this dish, I would agree it would be hard to wait around staring at that while waiting to take a picture, so I sympathise with your guests.

    What a great thing to make for a party!

  • 38. Sophie | June 19, 2009 at 7:58 am | #

    MMMMMMMMM…indeed, this is excellent, Lorraine! i love ricotta & my daily greens so I must taste these lovely appetizers or a great snack or lunch: Esay yet so healthy! MMMMMMMM…

  • 39. grace | June 19, 2009 at 8:35 am | #

    i find myself praising the heavens most frequently when food is involved–i’m not ashamed. :)
    terrific appetizer, lorraine. it’s definitely an inspired creation.

  • 40. 5 Star Foodie | June 19, 2009 at 11:04 am | #

    Wonderful crostini with salsa verde and ricotta! This would make a nice lunch for my family. Very exciting news about your radio interview!

  • 41. Annie | June 19, 2009 at 1:56 pm | #

    You’re not the only one to not be smitten with tomato salsa. I LOVE a good tomato and I have made salsa, I have eaten salsa made by an honest to god Mexican, eaten Chilean salsa from and honest to God Chilean and so on. I just don’t like it. Tomato in a vinaigrette? YUMMM any day. Salsa Verde? YUMMM any day. Thanks for the recipe.

  • 42. Annie | June 19, 2009 at 1:59 pm | #

    PS: You like rice bran oil? Me too. Great for all sorts of cooking and best in cakes calling for vegetable oil. Not as heavy. When I haven’t got a good olive oil I also don’t mind it for moistening my bread and dunking it in dukkah.

  • 43. Bren | June 20, 2009 at 1:59 am | #

    i love the salsa verde on crostini… nice pungent taste on crunch! congrats on the radio spot!

  • 44. Kevin | June 20, 2009 at 5:56 am | #

    That crostini looks nice and simple and really good! I like the vibrant greens.

  • 45. Not Quite Nigella | June 20, 2009 at 10:45 am | #

    Hi Sophia-Oh wow, that sounds delicious! I must give that a go :D Thankyou so much! I know what a shame they don’t have Podcasts :(

    Hi Taiko Tari-Um no I haven’t. I don’t know much about her. I will look them up though! :D

    Hi Liss-hehe he does doesn’t he! And I do too :lol: I’ve seen that, it’s looks great!

    Hi Arwen-I’m not 100% sure but I think it might be? Mmm sounds amazing, will you post on it?

    Hi FFichiban-Haha yes there is that :lol:

    Hi Midge-it’s so nice and fresh which I love. Ooh sounds lovely! hehe sounds like great stuff! :D

    Hi sharon-Ooh I must try it with corned beef or something like that :) Thankyou so much!

    Hi Kim-Good idea and from what I understand so simple! What a shame, I wish they podcasted. maybe I’ll try and record it! :) You are too sweet!

    Hi Panda-Haha yes it’s hard isn’t it! Hungry mouths and hands :lol:

    Hi nora-Thankyou so much! :D I’ll need all the luck I can get :)

    Hi Lilia-I think I just used capers in brine? You can use those too though, just rinse and drain them as always. :)

    Hi Yas-Ooh cool! Yes a good use for anchovies :D Thankyou so much! :D

    Hi Marta-Thankyou! :D Wow they sound so delicious but also healthy which is great! You’re making me hungry! :D

    Hi Lori-Definitely, it’s so lovely and Summery! Like a great, fresh salad on a big crouton :)

    Hi Jenn-Thankyou so much! :D Haha yes they’re usually good but I think the smell enticed them. Definitely! :P

    Hi Sophie-Thanks so much Sophie! Yes it’s very similar to the lovely and healthy things that you make! :)

    Hi grace-Haha that is a good thing! Someone should write a book: religious moments with food :P

    Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou! Yes I’m so excited and nervous :D

    Hi Annie-yes me too! I love a good tomato but there’s something that I just don’t really love about a tomato salsa. You’re welcome! :D yes it’s nice and flavourless yet has a high heat point which is good :) yes I agree, great for cakes and its mild flavour doesn’t interfere with others :)

    Hi Bren-Thankyou so much! :D

    Hi Kevin-Yes nice and fresh parsley is a must :)

  • 46. ArtemisIII | June 20, 2009 at 8:53 pm | #

    It looks so tremendous that I will have to try to make it myself as I have never had salsa verde before :)

  • 47. Salsa | June 23, 2009 at 9:15 pm | #

    What delightful crostini! Really appetizing!

  • 48. Beau | October 26, 2009 at 12:22 pm | #

    That looks really delicious! cant wait to try this one!

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