This tasty homemade ricotta and pea tart recipe is perfect for spring and summer. Serve it as part of a main meal, in a picnic or as a canapé.
I chose this Homemade Ricotta and Pea Tart to make for my Secret Recipe Club assignment. With a base of crisp puff pastry and topped with homemade ricotta, peas and herbs, it is a recipe that is just as good to make for guests as it is to enjoy with your family.
Yes, that's right, I did say homemade ricotta! But don't worry, you don't have to make your own. It'll be just as good if you use a tub of ricotta from the supermarket!
What was the Secret Recipe Club?
The Secret Recipe Club was great fun and when I was part of it, I used to make a recipe from another blogger each month. This recipe is from the blog, Well Dined.
Why did I choose tomake this pea and ricotta tart?
I looked at quite a lot of recipes but as so often happens it was the very first one I checked that I ended up making. It was partly the fact that I really wanted to make my own ricotta but mainly that the tart looked and sounded so zesty and green.
It was full of fresh herbs, peas, lemon and ricotta. I wanted a slice and the only way I was going to get one was to make it myself!
Why did I make my own ricotta?
I have to admit now that I have had a cheesemaking kit sitting in the back of one of my cupboards for quite some time. A whole 2 years I'm ashamed to say. I was given it for my birthday just before Master Spice was born and with all the preoccupations of looking after a new baby and a toddler it somehow got a bit forgotten about.
But, I am so pleased I discovered it. Making my own ricotta was a new challenge and it tasted so good! I love a bit of an experiment in the kitchen and making cheese was a new experience!
The great thing about this pea and ricotta topping
As well as the chance to make homemade ricotta, what really caught my attention with this recipe was how green and fresh the topping looked. By itself ricotta is a bit plain. It needs something to give it some flavour and as soon as the peas, lemon juice and herbs were added it was absolutely delicious.
I didn't use all of the ricotta on the tart and the leftovers made a fantastic dip for celery, cucumber and carrot sticks. And even spread on toast for breakfast!
How do you make your own ricotta?
Ricotta is surprisingly easy to make as long as you've got some whole milk, salt, vinegar and a piece of muslin. If you want more details then do check out this post about making ricotta by Jamie Oliver.
And what if you're too lazy, time-pressed or, controversially, feel you have better things to do with your time than making cheese?
Well, you could just buy a tub from the supermarket. It would just be 45p more expensive (based on Tesco prices) than the 2 pints of milk I made this with!
Seriously, don't feel you have to make your own ricotta to make this.
How do you make this pea and ricotta tart?
This cheesy vegetarian tart is really simple to make. You start with ready rolled or ready to roll puff pastry.
No, I definitely don't recommend you make your own! Although by all means do if you want to.
You prick it and bake it in the oven.
To make the filling you combine half of the peas, mint and basil with the lemon juice, black pepper and ricotta. Blitz it in the food processor and then spread it onto the puff pastry base.
Top the tart with the remaining peas and herbs.
Can you adapt this vegetarian ricotta tart?
I don't think you can change this very much without making it into a completely different recipe. However feel free to tweak it here and there.
If you want to make it more lemony then why not add some lemon zest to the ricotta as well?
You could vary the herbs a little. Parsley would also work well in this.
Instead of topping the tart with peas you could top it with other vegetables. How about roasted asparagus spears, courgette ribbons or fresh tomatoes?
How long can you store it for?
I loved this tart when it was freshly put together the most but you can store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
What can you eat with it?
I love to serve this as a light main meal with lots of salad on the side. However, it also makes a great starter. You could even make individual portions to make it look prettier and then serve it at a dinner party.
Recipe for Homemade Ricotta and Pea Tart
Recipe
Homemade Ricotta and Pea Tart
Ingredients
- 320 g puff pastry I used ready rolled
- 250 g ricotta
- 240 g peas I used defrosted but uncooked frozen peas
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- 1 lemon juiced
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Score a rectangle into the puff pastry to make a border about 2cm inside from the outside edge.
- Bake in the oven at 200C for 10 minutes. Push the middle of the tart down and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
- Put the ricotta, half the peas, half the basil, half the mint, the lemon juice and a little black pepper in the food processor. Blitz until fairly smooth.
- Spread the ricotta mixture onto the tart.
- Mix the remaining peas and herbs together. Scatter on top of the tart.
Notes
Nutrition
More green vegetable recipes
Why not try one of these recipes if you love green vegetables?
Buttery samphire with garlic and lemon
Healthy baked spiced vegetable fries
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make pea and ricotta tart. I love to get feedback from readers.
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Farrah
I love the sound of this!! <3 I'm gonna have to see if my friend wants to make it with me! :D!
CrumblesAndKale
Oh I love the idea to combine the "mushy peas" with the ricotta into a tart. Such a great idea and it looks stunning!
Corina
I'm so pleased you like it!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
This looks so fresh, vibrant and lovely! That cheese making kit sounds like fun 🙂
Corina
IT was fun and great that I got to try something new that I'm actually going to continue making as well!
Mandy Mazliah
This looks and sounds gorgeous! I can't imagine ever having the time to make my own cheese but either way this would be perfect for a spring lunch or dinner. #CookBlogShare
Corina
I think I thought the cheesemaking was going to be difficult too but it was actually really easy and not much work at all. I will get around to writing about it in a few weeks but I'm practising making more cheese in the meantime!
Hayley (@SnapHappyBakes)
This looks super tasty and super healthy! Yum! Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Corina
So pleased you like it!
Julie is Hostess At Heart
This ricotta looks amazing, and this pea tart is just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing with FF!
Linda @ 2 Cookin' Mamas
What a wonderful recipe for spring. I bet it would make a fantastic appetizer for summer parties. I am also intrigued that you made your own cheese! Can't wait to read about it.
Corina
It would definitely be a great dish for a summer party, especially as you can prepare it in advance!
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
This sounds absolutely delicious Corina, so fresh sounding. Looking forward to reading your post about cheese making.
Angela x
Sammie
This Ricotta and Pea Tart is perfect for spring. Not sure if I would make the ricotta, but definitely the tart. In fact making ricotta sounds just what my lil man and I could do together, brilliant. Sammie
Corina
Hope you have fun making it if you do!
Tes P. Yuphin
my kid will anything with cheese on it! I'm gonna try this. It looks so good.
Corina
I hope he likes it! And I'm so pleased I've tempted you.
Eb Gargano
This looks gorgeous - what an unusual way to use peas! And well done you for making your own ricotta! I'm impressed! My kids are 5 and 7 and both at school and I still feel too busy to do things like make my own cheese!!! Eb x
Corina
So pleased you like it! It was fun to make the ricotta for the first time and it definitely won't be the last time I make cheese. In fact, I have already made some more since making this!
Dragons And Fairy Dust
What a lovely looking tart. I am impressed you made your own ricotta as well
Corina
Thank you!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
That topping is fresh and green indeed! And I'm betting homemade ricotta trumps store bought anyday! Thanks for sharing this recipe from Sarah's blog!
Corina
I'm so pleased you like it! You can see why I really wanted to make it as soon as I saw it!
All That I'm Eating
This is a whole other level! Making your own ricotta and then making this beautiful tart. Lovely for spring.
Corina
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed making ricotta for the first time and it was actually so easy as well.
Kristy @ Southern In Law
This looks like the perfect spring appetiser or lunch/brunch option! Yum!
Corina
So pleased you like it!
Elaine @ foodbod
The tart looks gorgeous, those beautiful peas! I've got a couple of those cheese making kits in the back of the cupboard too...I did make the ricotta and ended up with enough to feed the street!!
Corina
That would have happened to me too! The recipe in the kit used 8 pints of milk but I cut it down and just used 2!
Jean
Hello spring. That looks fantastic.
Corina
Thank you!
Dena @ohyoucook
What a great idea for a party! Fantastic SRC choice.
Corina
Yes, it would make a great party dish for a buffet.
reneeskitchenadventures
What a lovely spring recipe! Great choice!
Corina
Thank you Renee!
Julie
Beautiful tart! Peas will be in season here soon! I am going to give this a try, with store ricotta, though! Nice SRC post.
Corina
I hope you enjoy it!
The VegHog
Thank you for sharing with Eat Your Greens! I could eat this anytime. 🙂
Corina
Thank you so much! I'm really pleased you like it.
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
This looks lovely! I really like the idea of the peas, ricotta, & mint & look forward to giving this a try. Pinned & Yummed 🙂
Corina
I'm so glad you like it! It's definitely one of those recipes that is worth making.