These Honeyed Grapefruit & Ricotta Crostini with Candied Pecans only contain 5 ingredients! The perfect, easy bite for entertaining.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Winter Sweetz Texas Red Grapefruit. As always, all opinions here are my own!
I have shocking news for you: If the thought of grapefruit brings to mind the word “bitter”, you’ve probably been eating it wrong all these years. Grapefruits can be just as sweet as some of their popular citrus counterparts -- especially if they’re Winter Sweets Texas Reds!
You might already know that I have a soft spot in my heart for Texas, which is why I feel the need to speak up on behalf of their produce. I lived there for 3 years, made dear friends during my time there, and got to enjoy traveling to different regions to check out some of what it had to offer. {There’s a lot!}
I also got to delve into its food culture {which is kind of redundant since food is a huge part of the culture!}, where I developed my tastes for some of my favorite eats -- namely margaritas and Tex-Mex. In Texas, flavors come big and bold, so it should be no surprise that even the trees produce some of the most flavorful fruit you’ll ever get to eat!
Just like Texans proved to be some of the warmest, friendliest folks around, Winter Sweetz Texas Red grapefruits are top-notch when it comes to quality and flavor. These ruby red beauties are grown in the Rio Grande Valley where they’re bathed in Texas sunshine and develop their signature sweetness. And that color… just look at that color!
But there’s a key to enjoying Winter Sweetz to the full extent of its deliciousness: You’ve gotta free those sensational little segments! Not to get all scientific on you, but the pith and peel contain natural oils that cause the bitter taste that people associate with grapefruit. So when you take some time to cut out the juicy slices and avoid the stuff around them, you get the full-throttle sweetness that the fruit has to offer.
Once you learn how to properly segment a grapefruit, you’ll never do it any other way. Not only is it easy once you get the hang of it, but it also leaves you with gorgeous pieces that make the ultimate colorful addition to impressive party foods.
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to start getting ideas for party-perfect appetizers -- preferably ones that don’t require extensive work so the host can have some fun, too!
Looking for other delicious ways to enjoy grapefruit? Try my stunning Grapefruit Ginger Cocktail or Avocado & Grapefruit Salsa!
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan and gluten free. (See Variations & Substitutions below.)
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Ingredients
These Honeyed Grapefruit & Ricotta Crostini with Candied Pecans look super fancy, but only contain 5 ingredients! As simple as they are, the eye-popping color will draw guests in and the combination of sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy in each bite will keep them coming back for more. {So make a double batch!}
You'll need:
- Crusty baguette slices
- Whole milk ricotta cheese
- Red Grapefruit
- Candied pecans
- Honey
Lightly toasted baguette slices serve as a great vehicle for a slather of creamy ricotta cheese, and of course, lucious segments of Winter Sweetz Texas Red grapefruit. A sprinkle of crunchy candied pecans {or walnuts if you prefer} and a drizzle of honey add an extra touch of sweetness.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place baguette slices on a baking pan and spray or brush with a bit of olive oil. Bake for about 5-7 minutes or until crisp and lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
One the baguettes are slightly cooled, spread about a tablespoon of ricotta cheese on each slice.
Carefully arrange grapefruit segments on each piece.
Sprinkle with chopped candied pecans and finish off with a drizzle of your favorite honey. Serve immediately.
FAQ's
The bread! Crostini is typically made of smaller pieces of bread like a baguette, whereas bruschetta is made with longer pieces of bread such as sourdough or a rustic Italian loaf. Both are typically toasted and served with fresh toppings.
Yes. You can toast your bread slices, then cool them completely and store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 4-5 days. Assemble the crostini with toppings just before serving.
Segmenting a grapefruit, or any citrus, is quite easy. Slice off the top and bottom of the grapefruit; this will help create a flat, stable surface so that it doesn't roll while you remove the skin. Place the grapefruit cut-side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut away the skin and pith (white part) of the grapefruit, moving along the curve of the fruit. Next, carefully slide the knife between each segment using the white membrane as a guide to release each segment. It's best to do this part over a bowl to catch the juice.
This video shows just how easy it is to segment citrus.
Variations & Substitutions
Try these grapefruit & ricotta crostini variations:
- Try using other types of cheese such as goat cheese, mascarpone or Boursin
- Skip the cheese and spread mashed avocado on the crostini instead. Grapefruit and avocado go great together!
- Use roasted pistachios or walnuts instead of pecans.
Dietary Substitutions:
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free baguette or bread instead of regular.
- Dairy Free/Vegan: Use vegan ricotta or plant-based cream cheese in place of regular ricotta. Omit honey if desired and drizzle with date syrup or agave nectar.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy grapefruit?
Honeyed Grapefruit & Ricotta Crostini | Winter Sweetz
Ingredients
- 1 crusty baguette sliced on the diagonal
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 Winter Sweetz Texas Red Grapefruit peeled and segmented
- ⅔ cup candied pecans roughly chopped
- Honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place baguette slices on a baking pan and spray or brush with a bit of olive oil. Bake for about 5-7 minutes or until crisp and lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
- One the baguettes are slightly cooled, spread about a tablespoon of ricotta cheese on each slice.
- Carefully arrange grapefruit segments on each piece.
- Sprinkle with chopped candied pecans and finish off with a drizzle of your favorite honey. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Try using other types of cheese such as goat cheese, mascarpone or Boursin
- Skip the cheese and spread mashed avocado on the crostini instead. Grapefruit and avocado go great together!
- Use roasted pistachios or walnuts instead of pecans.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free baguette or bread instead of regular.
- Dairy Free/Vegan: Use vegan ricotta or plant-based cream cheese in place of regular ricotta. Omit honey if desired and drizzle with date syrup or agave nectar.
[…] smitten with the vibrant color {not to mention flavor} of Winter Sweetz, and I was pleased to find that their juice is just as gorgeous. The blush color […]