Mediterranean Bruschetta

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons freshly basil leaves plus leaves whole chopped for garnish
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 1 pound ciabatta bread cut into 1-inch wide slices
• 2 tablespoons kalamata olives finely chopped
• 0.5  optional: lemon 
• 0.3 cup olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon oregano dried
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 15 ounce milk ricotta whole
• 2 large tomatoes diced seeded

Equipment

• bowl
• grill

Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Drizzle the bread with the olive oil and place onto preheated grill. Grill until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
3. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, tomatoes, olives, basil, and salt and pepper.
4. Squeeze lemon over the bread.
5. Sprinkle bread with oregano and salt and pepper, to taste.
6. Place ricotta mixture on top of the grilled bread, garnish with basil leaves and serve.