Baked Whipped Ricotta with Za'ataar and Local Honey

During a recent trek to Las Vegas, my better half and I visited a couple of Celebrity Chef restaurants, and accidentally discovered a 'Celebrity' Restaurant stamped by rocker front man for Motley Crue, Vince Neil.  That's a story for another time but this recipe is definitely inspired by Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine's "Public House" located in the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

We stopped there for some eats and to catch the first game of the NBA Finals.  Having hit the hotel buffet earlier in the day, our tummy room for a huge dinner was non existent.  

We stuck to the Wagyu Sliders.

And the Mezze with the MOST AMAZING artichoke hummus.  

I wanted to try other items but the stomach was full.  However there listed on the menu was 'Baked Whipped Ricotta' with Za'ataar, local honey and olive oil.    All those things I have always in my home.  Za'ataar is a medly of herbs, toasted sesame seeds and in some places ground nuts in the Mid East and Africa.  In Morocco a form of this is called Dukkah and served with bread and olive oil EVERYWHERE!    It is used in different ways for dishes.

Baked Whipped Ricotta

Ingredients

• 15oz container of Ricotta - I used whole milk.  Your preference.
• Zest of one large lemon.
• Juice of half the lemon.
• Local honey or other honey, your choice for drizzling.
• Za'ataar, two tablespoons for sprinkling.  Za'ataar can be found at most Middle Eastern grocery stores, online or you may choose to put something totally different like fresh berries or a marmalade.
• Pita chips or toasted bread of your choice.  Pita just went hand in hand with this recipe, and using 'Oasis' pita chips that normally find at 'Whole Foods'.
  

Recipe

• Pre heat oven to 325.
• Add lemon zest and lemon juice to ricotta and whip with a hand mixer about a minute.
• I sprayed my little cast iron dip pan with some non stick, even though it is a 'seasoned' pan, and spooned the whipped ricotta into it.
• Bake for about 20 minutes, and then sprinkle some of the Za'ataar and drizzle honey on top and return to the oven for another 15 minutes until lightly bubbly from the sides.
• Heated my pita chips for about 15 seconds in the microwave and plate on serving vessel or charcuterie board. 

Remove the baked whipped ricotta and drizzle it and your pita chips with more honey.  Add more Za'ataar if you wish.  

ENJOY!!  REMEMBER LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO EAT BADLY!!