Strawberry Basil Crostini

• 1 crusty baguette, dealer's choice
• 1 cup highest quality ricotta (seriously, don't skimp)
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup torn or roughly chopped basil
• 1/4 cup balsamic syrup (or a reduction of balsamic vinegar)
• coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
• extra virgin olive oil, as needed
• Maldon or other flake salt, as needed

1. Preheat your oven to 400 F. Slice the baguette in 1/2" slices, on a bias. Lay the slices on a parchment lined sheet tray and brush lightly with the olive oil. Bake at 400 until crisp on the surface and lightly colored.
2. Lay a healthy spread of ricotta on each crostini. Toss the sliced strawberries with the torn basil and a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Layer the strawberries and basil on the crostini. Drizzle each crostini to taste with the balsamic syrup. Dust the whole tray with coarsely ground black pepper. Place a couple flakes of salt on each crostini to balance the tang of the balsamic.

crusty, strawberries, basil, balsamic syrup, ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, salt

Taken from food52.com/recipes/35898-strawberry-basil-crostini (may not work)