Lavender and Smashed Berrry Toast with Whipped Vegan Ricotta and Pumpkin Seed Brittle Crumble

A little reminder to love the ones who love us! Nothing quite like an act of service, especially when you are serving deliciousness! Enjoy this stunning recipe that features our Sprouted Organic Pumpkin Seeds! 

For The Pumpkin Brittle Topping:

• 1/4 cup whole pumpkin seeds 
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds 
• 1/4 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds
• Pinch Sea salt
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• One tablespoon coconut oil 

For The Balsamic Berries:

• 1/2 pint (about 6 ounces) fresh raspberries plus more for garnish
• 8 ounces strawberries hulled, quartered and sliced
• 1 tablespoons maple 
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon citrus zest 

For The Whipped Ricotta:

• 1 cup kite hill almond milk ricotta cheese 
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon maple 

Toast: 4 slices of your favorite bread! We love everything from Simply Kneads

Make The Nut Topping:

• Preheat oven to 300 F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.

1. In a medium mixing bowl whisk oil, syrup, sugar, maple, and lavender together. Stir in pumpkin seeds and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning, as desired.
2. Pour seeds onto parchment-lined sheet and spread into a single layer.
3. Place in center of oven and bake 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, and re-spreading into a single layer.
4. Remove from oven and let cool. The brittle should set up and harden as it cools. Break into bite-sized pieces to be crumbled on top of toasts. 
   
   Make The Balsamic Berries: Place about 3/4 of the raspberries in bowl and smash until all the berries are broken up. Stir in the smoke, balsamic, citrus zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir in the remaining raspberries and strawberries, and set aside until ready to use.
   
   For The Whipped Ricotta: Place the ricotta and maple in a bowl and whip until light and airy. Add a pinch of salt and if you please a bit more citrus zest! Taste and add more salt or maple, as desired.  
   
   Assemble The Toasts: Divide the ricotta on the toasts and top with a spoonful of the berry mixture (with a bit of their juices). Sprinkle the seed brittle mixture on top, finish with a tad more salt, maple, and zest and serve.