Ricotta dip with crushed tomatoes & bruschetta

• 2 x 250g tubs ricotta g

  2 packs

• tub light cream cheese200g g
• small bunch mint↗

  chopped, plus a few leaves to serve

• small bunch chives

  snipped

• ripe cherry tomato↗450g g

  (we used a mixture of red and yellow)

• white wine vinegar↗1 tbsp tbsp
• caster sugar↗1 tsp tsp
• extra virgin olive oil↗1 tbsp tbsp

  plus a little extra to drizzle

• French baguette↗1

  (or gluten-free bread), thinly sliced

• olive oil↗2 tbsp tbsp
• fat garlic cloves↗2

  squashed

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mash the ricotta, cream cheese, mint, chives and some salt. When smooth, spread over a large plate or a wide, shallow bowl, creating a dip in the centre to hold the tomatoes. Chill until ready to serve.

2. 2

   In another bowl, crush and rip up the tomatoes with your hands until they are in small chunks and really juicy. Strain through a sieve and discard the juice (or freeze to use in another recipe). Add the vinegar, sugar, olive oil and a good pinch of salt. Mix together, then set aside.

3. 3

   Heat a griddle pan until smoking hot. Brush the bread slices with olive oil and rub with the garlic cloves. Place on the hot griddle for 1-2 mins each side until nicely charred – you’ll have to do this in batches.

4. 4

   Pile the squashed tomatoes on top of the ricotta spread. Drizzle with extra oil and scatter with the remaining mint. Place in the centre of the table and let everyone dip in with the charred bruschetta.