Description

This Insanely Delicious Whipped Ricotta is a creamy, dreamy spread perfect for appetizers or snacks. Made with whole milk ricotta whipped to a smooth consistency, it’s topped with roasted pistachios, a drizzle of honey, and extra virgin olive oil, delivering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors. Simple to prepare and elegant in presentation, it pairs beautifully with grilled or toasted bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Whipped Ricotta

16 ounces whole milk ricotta (Calabro is recommended)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste (Diamond Crystal recommended)
Zest of 1 lemon

Toppings

¼ cup shelled, salted, roasted pistachios
2 tablespoons honey

Serving

Bread for serving (grilled, charred, or olive-oil toasted)

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Instructions

Chop Pistachios: In a food processor, pulse the shelled, salted, roasted pistachios until they are finely chopped but not powdered. Transfer to a bowl and set aside for later use as a crunchy topping.
Whip Ricotta: Without washing the food processor, add the whole milk ricotta, 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and the lemon zest. Process for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes thick, creamy, and smooth. Taste the ricotta and add more salt if needed, adjusting to your preference.
Spread Ricotta: Transfer the whipped ricotta mixture to the center of a shallow serving platter. Use the back of a spoon to spread it artistically, creating peaks and valleys to hold the toppings and drizzle in place.
Add Honey and Olive Oil: Drizzle the ricotta with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil followed by the 2 tablespoons of honey. If you prefer a less sweet version, start with 1 tablespoon of honey and add more according to taste. The combination complements the creamy ricotta beautifully.
Top with Pistachios: Sprinkle the chopped pistachios evenly over the ricotta. You may not need all of them initially, so keep the extra pistachios in a bowl nearby to re-garnish as needed while serving.

Notes

If desired, fresh thyme leaves can be added for an herbal note, although the recipe is delicious without it.
The original recipe includes a small amount of garlic, but it has been omitted here to avoid overpowering flavors, especially when served alongside other garlicky dishes.
Adjust honey quantities to your preference if concerned about sweetness; full 2 tablespoons provide a perfect balance according to testing.
Best served with grilled, charred, or olive oil toasted bread for contrast in texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of recipe (about 80g)
Calories: 210 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 210 mg
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg